The Maspalomas 2025 International Tourism Forum promotes excellence and human talent in the Canary Islands tourism sector

 

ExpoMeloneras became the main meeting point for Canary Islands tourism this Monday with the inauguration of the 12th edition of the Maspalomas Costa Canaria 2025 International Tourism Forum. From early morning, industry professionals, students, institutional representatives, and national experts in gastronomy and hospitality filled the venue's corridors. The high level of participation confirmed from the outset the interest in a revamped format focused on practical training, service excellence, and recognition of human talent.

 

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales; the Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez; the President of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, Luis Padrón; the Councilor for Tourism, Yilenia Vega; and the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal. All speakers emphasized the importance of the forum as a space for growth and reflection for one of the strategic drivers of the island's economy.

 

 

 

The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, emphasized that “the City Council, through the Department of Tourism, is once again hosting this International Forum, committed to uniting tourism with gastronomy and service management. We are incorporating the value of culinary expertise, attentive service, and the ability to manage the spaces where the visitor experience is created. All of this contributes to a destination's appeal. We are talking about SOUL in its broadest sense: the passion of the professionals, the enjoyment of those who sit at the table, those who create the ambiance, and those who give meaning to this entire culinary world.”

 

As part of this new direction, the 2025 edition kicks off with a program designed to bring knowledge closer to those on the front lines of the sector, combining technical training, practical experiences and the direct participation of national experts and professionals from the municipality.

 

For his part, the president of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales, emphasized that “this forum is an established space for reflecting on the evolution of the tourism sector. Maspalomas is the epicenter of tourism activity in Gran Canaria, and the fact that we are analyzing the challenges facing the sector and the role of gastronomy here—an area that has taken a qualitative leap in recent years—contributes to diversifying the offerings and strengthening the island's productive economy.”

 

Throughout the morning, attendees experienced firsthand the pulse of a sector moving towards a more experiential, innovative, and visitor-focused model. The atmosphere of active participation, with packed rooms and a diverse audience, set the pace for a day designed to learn, share, and showcase the destination's professionalism.

 

In this context, the Councillor for Tourism, Yilenia Vega, stated that “this forum stems from the conviction that those who work directly with visitors are the heart and soul of the destination. The practical training we are launching today is the best tool for growth, motivation, and reinforcing the professional pride that defines Maspalomas.”

 

The first session of the program highlighted the response from local professionals and national experts, who will share their knowledge during the two-day forum. The new format, which combines presentations, debates, and open demonstrations, has been one of the main innovations of this edition.

 

Following this line of thought, First Deputy Mayor Alejandro Marichal pointed out that José Ramón Calvo's speech encapsulates the spirit of this year's event, emphasizing that "when someone proudly declares 'I'm a waiter and I love my job,' we understand exactly what this forum is about: putting people first and championing the hospitality industry as an opportunity, not a burden." He added that this gathering should be "aspirational, an inspiration for the young people listening to these presentations today, who are preparing for a profession with enormous international potential."

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, Marichal noted that “San Bartolomé de Tirajana is a leading tourist destination in Europe: after Madrid and Barcelona, ​​we are the destination with the highest volume of overnight stays in the country. Being a waiter or cook here allows you to connect with visitors from all over the world, grow professionally, and work anywhere in the globe.” 

 

He concluded by emphasizing that “this forum allows us to remain a benchmark, share our knowledge, learn from other professionals, and reaffirm our role as a leading tourist destination in Europe.” The morning session's outcome confirms that this twelfth edition consolidates Maspalomas's position as a leading training center and as a municipality that supports, listens to, and assists its tourism community.

 

A morning that celebrates talent, emotion, and excellence in the theater.

 

On the morning of Monday, November 17th, the first two main events of the program took place. The day began with the presentation “Professional Attention to Detail with Different Languages,” given by José Ramón Calvo, head waiter of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Mugaritz. His presentation offered a profound reflection on how care, sensitivity, and precision in every gesture can transform a meal into an emotional experience.

 

Regarding his participation, José Ramón Calvo stated, “It is an honor to bring a presentation of this caliber to such an iconic destination for global tourism as Maspalomas. Hospitality is a universal language expressed through empathy and attention to detail, and its aim is to remind us that a well-appointed room can completely elevate a guest's experience.” He concluded by praising the fact that “spaces like this forum help to elevate a profession that is essential for the success of any tourist destination.”

 

Following this presentation, the panel discussion “The Power of the Dining Room” took place, bringing together leading professionals such as Nikola Ivicic, from the Aquarela restaurant; María González, from the Bevir restaurant; Diego Tornel, recognized as the best sommelier in the Canary Islands and Spain; and Érika Sanz, trained by Martín Berasategui, as well as Calvo himself. The exchange of ideas underscored the role of service as a strategic element of a tourist destination, highlighting the importance of continuous training, dedication, and the adaptability of professionals.

 

As a gesture of recognition for the work of the speakers and in support of the island's artisan sector, the Councillor for Tourism and the First Deputy Mayor presented a Canarian playing card made by the Gran Canaria artisan Daylos Kevin, a traditional piece that symbolizes local identity and know-how.

 

The focus of the day will shift this afternoon to the area around the Maspalomas Lighthouse, where the showcooking demonstration “The Origin of Flavor” will take place starting at 17:30 p.m. The demonstration will be led by chef Pepa Muñoz, head chef of the Madrid restaurant El Qüenco de Pepa, which has been awarded a Repsol Sun, and by mixologist Matteo Ciarpaglini, an international icon after Club Paradiso was named the World's Best Bar in 2022.

 

 

 

The public will be able to enjoy an open session that will combine gastronomy, landscape and learning, bringing culinary training to the street and highlighting local products.

 

Tomorrow, science and innovation take the lead

 

On Tuesday, November 18, the forum will resume its activities with a more technical session. The day will begin with the presentation “The Importance of Dialogue Between Science and Cooking for the Future,” given by researcher Pere Castells, president of the Science and Cooking World Congress Foundation.

 

At midday, one of the most anticipated moments of this edition will arrive: the intervention of chef Pepe Rodríguez, MasterChef judge and head of the El Bohío restaurant, who will address the relationship between gastronomy, tourism and local development.

 

The day will conclude with the conference “Customer Experience = Employee Experience”, given by consultant and coach Juan Ferrer, with a renewed reflection on how attention to staff directly impacts the quality of service.

 

A closure that strengthens the future of the destination

 

The San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council emphasizes that this first day confirms the success of the forum's new model: more practical, accessible, and focused on providing real-world training for the professionals who sustain the destination on a daily basis. With a program that integrates knowledge, experience, and local talent, Maspalomas continues to solidify its position as a leader in training, innovation, and tourism excellence.

 

The organizers of the XII Maspalomas Costa Canaria International Tourism Forum 2025 would like to thank Café Ortega, Ana Castellano Florista, Coca-Cola and Viveros El Rosal for their collaboration, whose support has been key to the development of this edition.