In this way, we will try to find and formulate global proposals that seek restorative solutions to some evils that, due to unforeseen events sometimes, due to inexperience at others, and due to the avalanche of unpredictable events in others, have affected these territories, causing them enormous damage.
This seeks to guarantee not only that those who committed serious errors in the past do not repeat them in the future, but that other peoples and their leaders, knowing the negative situation of those who were wrong, do not incur in their same errors.
The main source of wealth
The President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Adán Martín, who traveled to the Island to inaugurate these conferences, indicated during his opening speech that analyzing and reflecting on tourism is for us, the Canarians, "a constant and a necessity because tourism is, today, the main source of wealth of the Archipelago".
In this sense, he recalled his commitment to consolidate a "sustainable and competitive" tourism activity.
The president of the autonomous Executive also stated that the experience of the Canary Islands in relation to tourism is extensive over time because "we have spent more than 25 years of strong investments to meet a demand that has not stopped growing in that period and that, finally, has stabilized at around 12 million annual visitors," explained Martín, while acknowledging that tourism is a sector that evolves very quickly, but that "we have achieved the necessary agility to anticipate its demand."
Maturity of the Canary Islands destination
Adán Martín also highlighted the maturity of the tourist destination of the Canary Islands, which is capable of offering adequate responses to the new market trends in all areas; commerce, transport, services, and above all, sustainable development.
In this sense, Martín Menis recalled that the Government of the Canary Islands has launched the Quality and Tourism Infrastructure Plans with the different island councils for an amount exceeding 252 million euros, as well as a commitment has been made to greater efficiency in the tourism promotion of the Canary Islands and each island, through the coordination of promotional actions. In this way, in the words of Adán Martín, the "Canarias" brand has been constituted as a single destination, respecting the island attractions, but consolidating the Canary Islands as a unique and cohesive space.
Main problems suffered by island territories
Aggressions to Nature and the Environment as a consequence of mass tourism and excess cement, often due to immoral and irritating speculation, is the main common problem that these islands have, which have seen how their landscapes have been crushed or severely deteriorated.
In this sense, the aggression that mass tourism has meant when fragile territories such as islands receive an excessive number of tourists, not always equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support the invading contingent, has led to the endangerment of even the very identity of the residents of the place, who are often outnumbered by visitors. Likewise, this foreign threat is causing the gradual loss of customs and cultural traditions of these peoples, which means
Special concerns of the Canary Islands
In the particular case of the Canary Islands, there are also other types of problems such as immigration and security, which, according to Adán Martín himself, are a priority for the regional Government.
In this sense, Martín indicated that a message of tranquility can be sent to those who visit us, because the islands are increasingly safe, "and this is not related to the fact that the Government delegate in the Canary Islands is called Segura Clavel", joked Martín, who explained that security is inherent in the character of the Canarians, and hence the importance of people who integrate into this land being imbued with that character of tranquility and peace, "although this does not mean that we will not continue working in this line, since I guarantee that security in all areas -health, road and citizen- is a priority for this Government."
In this sense, he indicated that the Canary Islands emergency system (112) is one of the most advanced and effective in the country, while recalling the efforts made by the regional Executive in order to have an autonomous police force that reinforces protection in the Islands.
Participating Islands
The meeting, which is in its ninth edition, is held for the first time in the Canary Islands, and brings together in the Hotel Princesa Yaiza of Lanzarote important positions from islands of countries such as Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Finland, Sri Lanka or the United States.
The opening ceremony of the conference was also attended by the President of the Canary Islands Government, Adán Martín, the President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Inés Rojas, the Tourism Councilor of the First Corporation, Miguel Ángel Leal, the Mayor of Yaiza, José Francisco Reyes and the former President of the regional Government, Lorenzo Olarte.
