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The 'Drawer of Honor' award presented this Monday to Pedro del Castillo y Bravo de Laguna has served to highlight a career that is, in itself, a roadmap for the recent economic and social progress of Gran Canaria. A man of discreet character and tireless work ethic, his influence touched the strategic pillars that define the island's current competitiveness. Agriculture, water, tourism, energy, innovation, politics (as a councilor and consul of Denmark), and social commitment form the cornerstones of a life dedicated to shaping the future of his homeland.
The transformation of the Canary Islands began in the south, where Del Castillo, along with his brother Alejandro, participated in the creation of Maspalomas Costa Canaria in the late 1960s. That project not only marked the birth of modern tourism but also generated the prosperity and middle class that sustains the island's economy today—a legacy rooted in the primary sector, as a promoter of tomato farming and a champion of banana cultivation.
His role is central to the management of vital resources. He was a global pioneer in sustainability with the Maspalomas Golf Course, using treated wastewater for irrigation, a practice far ahead of its time. He also played a key role in the construction of the Soria Dam and led Eléctrica de Maspalomas and the La Lumbre Water Community, facilitating the water and electricity supply necessary for the growth of the tourism and industrial sectors.
Del Castillo's vision extended to infrastructure and technology. His influence reached construction materials, through companies like Cementos Especiales de Arguineguín, and leisure activities, where he participated in the creation of key projects such as Sioux City, Mundo Aborigen, and the Gran Canaria Aeroclub. His modernization efforts included the installation of the first computers and the donation of land to NASA for the facilities that followed the mission that took man to the Moon, a milestone in the island's technological history.
The broad reach of its impact was validated by the extensive business support for the award. The prize was primarily sponsored by Lopesan Hotel Group and Turismo Islas Canarias. In addition, Maspalomas Golf Gran Canaria, Excelcan, Bankinter, Domingo Alonso Group, Hospitales Universitarios San Roque, Satocan, Servatur Hotels & Resorts, Mur Hotels, Círculo de Empresarios de Lanzarote, Grupo Martinón, Inetel, Viajes Insular, and Canaragua actively collaborated, reflecting the consensus among the economic elite currently operating in the Canary Islands.
