The island of Lanzarote, unique in the world, which maintains the strength of a brand and a philosophy of life, which starts from nature and the landscape based on sustainability rules, and which has shown that it knows how to compete in the best leagues within the complex international tourism scene, must continue the path undertaken in its positioning as a qualified tourist destination.
From the Popular Party we are aware of the great opportunity that arises to continue prioritizing quality over quantity, with the challenge of continuing to improve destination spending indicators, which should not be forgotten that in the last quarter of last year they reached the highest figure in their history in Lanzarote.
These results support the strategy that the island has followed in tourism matters, with the addition of the good work of a team of great professionals, focused on improving connectivity, diversifying tourism markets to reduce dependence on the British (Lanzarote has intensified with its own prominence its presence in all international fairs thanks to the close relations with the Spanish Tourism Offices in Europe), and in the variety of specific tourist product clubs that, beyond sun and beach, undoubtedly give us a differentiated plus and encourage the consumption of the very varied and diverse experiences that the island offers.
To the segments focused on sports tourism (European Sports Destination), event and congress tourism, the island as a natural set (Lanzarote Film Commission), or the island as a Sustainable Destination, among others, we must add more recent bets such as the creation of the Lanzarote Music Festivals brand (since culture is another important factor that attracts a very interesting tourist to the island), as well as the configuration of the five-star and luxury hotel table, which, working side by side with the sector, represents a boost to the search for the high purchasing power tourist, the one who is willing to leave on the island what Lanzarote deserves as a destination.
I would also like to highlight that one of the great allies in the task of enriching the island's offer is undoubtedly the "Saborea Lanzarote" project. With the strategy of expanding tourism to other economic sectors such as the primary sector, not only is wealth better distributed, but we also give visitors the opportunity to learn more about our culture, customs and traditions. Today, gastronomy is increasingly a central reason for tourism and in the case of Lanzarote, producers, chefs, and restaurateurs are knowing how to value the local product, highlighting its authenticity with the new cuisine and with creations that surprise in the gastronomic events and fairs in which the island has had representation. Furthermore, Lanzarote has been a pioneer in Saborea España, and has become a reference for other territories in terms of the organization and development of enogastronomic festivals within the framework of tourist destinations. Vertebrating territory and gastronomy allows us to introduce tourists to our historical and cultural heritage in a more experiential and participatory way.
All of the above must also revolve around an essential instrument: the successful commitment to digital marketing and technological innovation in promotion, through Tourism Intelligence and Big Data tools. We have a select, ecological and diversified destination, and we start with everything necessary for tourists to find and live personalized and differentiated experiences.
Far from the demagogic approaches of those political forces and ideological sectors that, in an exercise of tremendous irresponsibility, try to demonize what is our main economic engine and progress, generating wealth and employment for all the people of Lanzarote, from the Popular Party and with Jacobo Medina as a reference, we are aware of the commitment that we must assume with the progress and quality of life of the island's population, and therefore, of the need to continue promoting a path of responsibility and good work in relation to our main industry, tourism.
Ángel Vázquez, 1st Vice President and Councilor for Tourism and Economic Promotion. Number two on the Popular Party's list for the Cabildo de Lazarote.