The tourism industry in Tenerife goes far beyond accommodation and activities. The island has a philosophy based on long-term sustainability and the deliberate support of initiatives that will help the local population benefit. We chatted recently with Lope Afonso, the Vice President and Tourism Minister of the Cabildo de Tenerife, in the context of our contemporary art collaboration, the Abama Gallery by Merkarte. The Merkarte program selects young artists on the island, and the Abama Gallery provides space to host their work in temporary exhibits.
Afonso sees this collaboration as a very positive one because he believes the tourism industry can and should get more involved with public programs that seek to increase the visibility of the local population. As we spoke with him, we also explored several other issues important to Abama Resort, including environmental sustainability, the local gastronomic offer, and the promotion of Tenerife as a golf destination.
Our experience at Abama has been that working with public institutions, like the Merkarte initiative, strengthens our ties with the island community. What is the Cabildo’s perspective on collaborating with private enterprise, particularly with industries that promote tourism?
Abama Gallery by Merkarte is a model to follow because it demonstrates how the tourism sector can support and promote young local talent, of which there is much, and of great quality, on the island. There are benefits to everyone, because it allows companies to integrate more fully with society while providing opportunities for people who work here, like these young artists. Our plan is to continue working along these lines, creating collaborations between the public and private sectors that support young people, not only in artistic fields, but also in sports, culture, and gastronomy.
Do you think the tourism sector could involve itself more in Tenerife’s cultural promotion and social sustainability plans?
Yes, it definitely can and should be more involved. One of the things that most distinguishes Tenerife in the global tourism market is that we’re not only a destination with a good climate and good services and accommodation, but also one with authenticity and heart. That’s all thanks to our cultural heritage, our traditions, and our public festivals. Integrating all of that into the tourism industry’s value chain is essential for us to maintain our uniqueness.
In the area of environmental sustainability, Tenerife is a Biosphere Certified destination and more than 48% of its land is protected. Has this become a much more beneficial driver of international interest in the long term?
Tenerife is one of the most committed destinations when it comes to meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Objectives, and it received the Biosphere Certification in 2021. This commitment to economic, social, and environmental sustainability is one of the principal attractions for people who visit us. Two concrete parts of our sustainable tourism commitment are the Sustainable Whale Watching Charter and the Nature Activities Charter. The companies that have signed them have agreed that the experiences they offer will respect the environment in which they are carried out. Further, they aim to make everyone, whether they're other companies, tourists, locals or public bodies, aware of the sensitive and precious nature of this environment.
Another way to promote the local economy and culture is through gastronomy. The island has six Michelin-starred restaurants, two of them located in Abama Resort. What role does gastronomy play in public policies?
Tenerife's gastronomy has become, on its own merits, a true benchmark in the sector. It's an important tool for promoting the destination abroad and, at the same time, it's becoming an essential element of the Tenerife tourism industry offer. Gastronomy is one of the experiences in most demand and most valued by our visitors and contributes, in turn, to the promotion of local products and the support of a significant percentage of our primary sector.
How does the Cabildo view golf resorts in terms of the island's international positioning?
In general, the island is always a good place to host top-level events, thanks to the guarantee of good weather, which is obviously key for sports like golf that are played outdoors. Tenerife has an average annual temperature of 22 degrees, which makes us a perfect golf destination year-round. In addition, we have golf resorts that offer courses that are spectacularly designed, and four- and five-star hotel facilities that provide services and activities specifically for players. In addition, the excellent air connections to nearly 140 airports and thirty countries around the world allow golfers from almost anywhere to come to the island to practice their favorite sport. And, of course, the range of excursions and complementary leisure activities make the island a true golfer's paradise.
Believing that the tourism industry can play an active role in the creation of high-value leisure options with real economic and social impact, Lope Afonso, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the Department of Tourism are open to developing new projects that support Tenerife's growth as a high-quality tourism destination. On the island, sustainable homes combine with tourism offers that positively impact long-term local development.
