Agüimes Leads First Community Cheese Tourism Project in Canary Islands

The initiative in Gran Canaria aims to connect visitors with the primary sector through immersive cheese-making experiences.

Image of fresh goat cheese being handcrafted.
IA

Image of fresh goat cheese being handcrafted.

The municipality of Agüimes, in Gran Canaria, has launched the first community cheese tourism project in the Canary Islands, a pioneering initiative that seeks to merge tourism with the primary sector through participatory experiences.

This innovative proposal, presented at the La Jaira de Ana farm school, aims to diversify the tourist offer beyond the traditional sun and beach model. The project, promoted by the Association of Artisan Dairies of Gran Canaria (Asoquegran) and the ONG Planeterra, has the collaboration of the Agüimes City Council.
The experience will allow visitors not only to learn about the work of artisan dairies but also to actively participate in the production of fresh goat cheese. Initially, the initiative will be developed with groups of German tourists and will last approximately two hours.
During the activity, participants will be able to tour the livestock facilities, learn about the production process, make their own cheese, and conclude with a tasting of local products. These products will be made both at the farm itself and by other producers from the municipality and the association.
Beyond its tourist appeal, the project seeks to generate new economic opportunities for the primary sector, strengthen the rural economy, and create synergies between local producers and the tourism sector. Collaboration with Planeterra and Asoquegran will also increase the visibility of artisan dairies and encourage their participation in future initiatives.
With this commitment, Agüimes positions itself at the forefront of a more sustainable and participatory tourism model, where local communities play a leading role and the benefits directly impact the environment. The experience offers an authentic immersion in the rural culture of Gran Canaria and reinforces the value of local products as a key element of tourism development.