The tenth edition of the CaixaBank Innovation and Modernization Awards at Fitur 2026 served to confirm that the southern region of Gran Canaria not only maintains its dominance as an economic engine, but has also become a testing ground for new business models in the archipelago. With the presence of the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the Regional Director of CaixaBank, Manuel Afonso, the event highlighted how the sector is leveraging the bank's financial resources—through its specialized Hotels & Tourism division—to implement a structural transformation that ranges from connecting with Generation Z to conquering the Caribbean.
Maspalomas' prominence was undeniable thanks to the award given to Sholeo Lodges Maspalomas, owned by Acosta Matos. This property, located in Playa del Inglés, was recognized for its ability to break the traditional hotel mold and connect with new consumer cohorts. Sholeo's commitment to innovation is the sector's response to the challenge of obsolescence, demonstrating that repositioning a mature destination requires specialization and digital agility. This local success was complemented by the recognition of Relaxia Resorts' sustainability, whose efficient management in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote underscores that environmental commitment is now a critical variable for financial profitability.
The major innovation of this year's awards was the introduction of the Internationalization category, a move that formally recognizes the role of Canary Islands companies as exporters of knowledge and capital. Lopesan was honored for its ambitious expansion in Punta Cana with the Lopesan Costa Bávaro and the Lopesan Caoba Lagoon, confirming that the know-how developed in the Maspalomas dunes is now a globally successful product. Alongside them, the Martinón Group reaffirmed its leadership in the Caribbean with its recent entry into Aruba, consolidating a trajectory that places Canary Islands hotel families on par with major international hospitality corporations.
The event also dedicated a segment to recognizing historical leadership with a special award for Roberto Konrad (Hovima Hotels), symbolizing the family business's transition to modern and competitive management standards. For the tourism associations represented, led by José María Mañaricua (FEHT), these awards are not just a promotional showcase, but proof that Gran Canaria's tourism sector has successfully decoupled its growth from mere volume to focus on added value, sustainability, and geographic expansion.
