The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, explained on the Onda Cero program, Gente Viajera, directed by Carles Lamelo, the importance of the Global South Forum that is being held in Arrecife this Friday, November 15, to "open a space for reflection and generate new ideas" for the future of tourism.
Betancort also shares the different actions that the island's first institution is carrying out to achieve sustainable tourism and an ethical commitment from residents and tourists that preserves the island for future generations.
- Why is the Global South Forum important?
Because we address the current challenges facing the tourism sector, especially in Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.
We are opening a space for reflection for emerging economies and, above all, we want Lanzarote to position itself at the center of economic thought and generate new ideas that drive this economic engine that provides so many jobs and stability to the citizens of Lanzarote.
- Ethical and responsible tourism, sounds good but what does it specifically mean?
It is about adapting to the new demands of the market, models with less massification and more sustainability. We want Lanzarote to be the portal where cutting-edge tourist destinations are made visible. We are also talking about awareness campaigns.
We want a tourism that enjoys, but also loves the island of Lanzarote. Therefore, this Forum, in its fifth edition, opens up the possibility of turning the island into a hotbed of reflection.
- What does the ethical code that tourists who arrive at the airport can sign consist of?
We not only want to be a sustainable destination, but we are also looking for a different tourist who is committed to the destination, who, upon arrival at the airport, signs an ethical code that only binds them to their morals.
We want a tourism that, when moving around Lanzarote, does so with respect, saves water, does not throw away waste, respects the trails, the stones, the plants, the marine materials, and above all, that draws from our primary sector, local crafts and zero kilometer products.
We want a tourism that preserves for future generations a destination that is unique: Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
- Are they signing it?
Yes, not only tourists, but also residents. We have allocated one million euros for the next three years in this campaign.
We want our residents to be the main prescribers of this message, of this fight that we want to convey to the world.
We are looking for a model that promotes blue tourism, and that is a model of conduct in which leisure is respected and integrated with nature.
- How do Lanzarote farmers manage to produce such high-quality wine with so little water?
Through creativity and ingenuity. Lanzarote is an arid, volcanic island of ash, without water, and an island with many opportunities within the difficulties. La Geria was transformed by man and by the camel and has the best wines in the world.
On November 23 and 24 we celebrate Saborea Lanzarote, the epicenter of gastronomy at the Macaronesian level. 83% of tourists who repeat take into consideration the gastronomic experiences we offer on the island.
- In addition to agriculture, what other primary products stand out in Lanzarote?
I cannot fail to highlight our cheeses, which always bring medals when they go abroad, and the richness of the livestock sector with native breed goats. Also the fishing sector, for example the prawns and scarlet shrimp from La Santa.
- How are they promoting blue sports tourism?
We are promoting blue tourism like no other island. The objective is for the entire sheet of water that surrounds the island to be the object of sports practice, both professional and amateur.
In surfing we have one of the most perfect tubes in Europe in El Quemao. We are one month away from our international event.
Our Olympic sailors trained in Lanzarote and we also stand out in scuba diving.