The Minister of Tourism of Gran Canaria, Carlos Álamo, participated in the presentation ceremony of the initiative that inherits the history of the Active Tourism Fair
The Canary Islands Active Tourism Business Association, Activa Canarias, is organizing the Gran Canaria Adventure Weekend , an active tourism festival on the island, building on the success of the previous Active Tourism Fair. This year's event aims to be broader, offering more activities and targeting an international audience to showcase the island's rich array of active tourism options. It is sponsored by Gran Canaria Tourism, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tourism (LPA), and the Gran Canaria Island Council's Institute of Social and Healthcare Services, and supported by AC Marriott Hotels.
In his presentation at a press conference, the president of Activa Canarias, José Luis Echevarría, assured that “this event is one more step towards the professionalization, consolidation and popularization of Active Tourism in Gran Canaria.” “Active Tourism is essential to diversify the tourism model of the islands, and specifically Gran Canaria. We have a destination open all year round and with the best conditions for practicing this type of activities, which are increasingly in demand,” Echevarría appreciated.
Carlos Álamo, Tourism Minister of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, highlighted the importance of the event in the island's strategy for the period 2021-2025. Álamo emphasized that these experiences “favor a local economy and an industry that is developed in a sustainable way and complementary to the classic sun and beach product.” He alluded to the possibility of getting to know, thanks to this festival, iconic spaces on the island such as the Dunes of Maspalomas, the Pinar de Inagua, Guguy or the Cultural Landscape of the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria.
The Tourism Councillor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Pedro Quevedo, highlighted the city's unbeatable conditions for active tourism and all forms of sustainable and experiential tourism. “In this city, you can surfski at Las Alcaravaneras Beach, hike in the Bandama Caldera, try orienteering, or enjoy wine tourism and cultural tourism in the Vegueta and Triana districts. This diversity creates a variety of experiences, further enhanced by the extraordinary climate,” Quevedo emphasized.
The mayor, first deputy mayor of the capital City Council, recalled that “the natural conditions of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have been perfectly complemented by an outstanding offer of active tourism services and infrastructure, both for visitors and for the local population, which is a public that demands these activities continuously all year round.”
The Minister of Social Policy, Accessibility, Equality and Diversity of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Isabel Mena, represented the Institute of Social and Socio-Health Care of the island institution. Mena recalled that “accessible tourism is fundamental and we forget that there is a significant percentage of potential tourists who require conditions for the tourist's full enjoyment. In that sense, it is essential for the quality of the destination that the activities are also accessible.”
He described the three inclusive activities included in the offer of experiences, and which are especially recommended for all audiences. We are talking about 'Winery and wines with essence', a wine tourism activity for all the senses, 'hiking in the Dunes of Maspalomas', which will have a Sign Language interpreter, and 'Wine City Tour', a cultural and wine tour through The Gran Canarian palms.
The exhibition offers experiences for all audiences. From families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and young people seeking more adventurous activities… Among them are wine tourism, stargazing, interpreting archaeological sites, orienteering, canyoning, hiking, surfskiing , tandem skydiving, and via ferrata, among many other activities.
Within the event, next Monday, September 18, a Workshop with specific experiences in the capital will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with the aim of generating synergies between tourism agents. All this in collaboration with Turismo LPA of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which this year is the featured municipality. It will take place at the AC Marriott Iberia Hotel in the city.
The Gran Canaria Adventure Weekend is a festival aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, as it fosters economic diversification, promotes healthy lifestyles, is an environmentally sustainable activity, and contributes to economic development by highlighting local products and the zero-kilometer economy. All activities are listed on the website grancanariadventure.com , available in English, Spanish, French, and German, and can be booked through the central reservations platform ecoactivacanarias.com.
