Alejandro Marichal: “When someone visits Maspalomas, they remember how they were made to feel. With this gala, we thank and recognize the hospitality professionals for being the best ambassadors for our destination.”
Yilenia Vega: “We want those who work in the hospitality industry to feel proud to belong to a sector that has made Maspalomas Costa Canaria great.”
Hospitality in Maspalomas Costa Canaria is much more than a profession: it's a vocation that remains in the memory of those who experience its services. Behind every welcome, every dish served, every room prepared, and every smile, there are professionals who make hospitality the destination's defining characteristic.
The Department of Tourism, Festivals, and Events of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council will hold the third annual Santa Marta Hospitality Awards 2026 on Wednesday, July 29, at 20:00 p.m. in the Maspalomas Cultural Center . This gala is designed to recognize the talent, dedication, and commitment to service that make Maspalomas Costa Canaria one of the most prestigious tourist destinations in Europe. The event coincides with the feast day of Saint Martha , patron saint of the hospitality sector.
A tribute to talent and commitment in the hospitality industry
Alejandro Marichal, the municipality's first deputy mayor, emphasizes that these awards go beyond professional recognition: " When a visitor remembers Maspalomas, they almost never remember a building. They remember how they were made to feel. That memory has a name and surname: the thousands of people who work every day in our hospitality industry. This gala is our way of saying thank you and acknowledging that they are the best ambassadors for the destination."
In previous years, the awards recognized chambermaids (2024) and front-of-house staff (2025). This 2026 edition pays tribute to the culinary profession, highlighting chefs, line cooks, assistants, and all the professionals who, with creativity and effort, elevate the local gastronomic experience.
During the gala, awards will be presented to leading initiatives and companies for their innovation, culinary quality, hotel architecture, sustainable tourism, professional training, efficient mobility, tourism modernization, and business excellence. In addition, outstanding professionals within each award-winning organization will be recognized. The names of the award recipients will be announced during the ceremony.
The human value behind tourism success
Yilenia Vega, the councilor responsible for organizing the event, emphasizes: " The true value lies in recognizing the people who make the destination's excellence possible . The aim is to instill pride among those working in the hospitality industry for belonging to a sector that is key to tourism growth and a positive international image for the municipality."
Behind every unforgettable experience are dedicated professionals working with passion, often far from the media spotlight. This gala recognizes their daily efforts and their fundamental contribution to the prestige of tourism in the Canary Islands.
