Héctor Mateo, the Director General of Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Tourist Quality, highlighted during the first joint meeting of these municipalities, held in Teguise (Lanzarote) on the occasion of the Day of the Most Beautiful Towns of Spain, the importance of recognizing the identity, culture, and heritage of these locations.
The network within the archipelago includes Teguise (Lanzarote), Tejeda (Gran Canaria), Garachico (Tenerife), Betancuria (Fuerteventura), and Agulo (La Gomera). The event brought together representatives from the five town councils for the first time, along with the regional government and the 'Most Beautiful Towns of Spain' Association.
Mateo emphasized the necessity for tourism development to be compatible with residents' lives, stating, 'The tourist appeal must be developed without distorting the lives of those who live in the area.' The Ministry of Tourism and Employment has, for the first time, implemented a line of financial support for actions and infrastructure aimed at the conservation and improvement of these municipalities' heritage.
The mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, stressed that the Villa's true value lies in its people: 'It is the neighbors, merchants, and farmers who for decades have lovingly preserved our homes and respected our historic site.' She underscored the responsibility that comes with the 'most beautiful town' distinction and the importance of collaborative work between administrations.
A significant milestone was the signing of a pioneering agreement between the Government of the Canary Islands and the association, the first of its kind between an autonomous community and the organization. This agreement establishes collaboration lines and funding for the conservation and promotion of the Canarian municipalities in the network, particularly in areas related to cultural and natural heritage.
The meeting, held in the square of the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, included the reading of a manifesto and the raising of the association's flag. Participants included representatives from the five municipalities, such as the mayor of Tejeda, Francisco Juan Perera Hernández; the mayor of Agulo, Rosa María Chinea; the mayor of Betancuria, Enrique Cerdeña; and the councilor for Sustainability of Garachico, Andrés David Hernández, along with Pedro Fernández, head of institutional relations for the association.
