The Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jéssica de León, and the Vice-Minister of Employment, Isabel León, have endorsed the opening of B Travel Tacoronte, a pioneering travel agency in Tenerife. This initiative, managed by the social enterprise Trampolín Solidario in collaboration with the Grupo Ávoris franchise B Travel, represents an innovative model by incorporating individuals at risk of social exclusion into tourism activities.
Unlike previous collaborations focused on auxiliary services, this project allows individuals in the insertion process to train and develop their professional activities directly within a public-facing travel agency. Minister Jéssica de León highlighted that the initiative unites the promotion of tourism and job creation, noting that each purchase contributes to the training and qualification of vulnerable individuals.
De León explained that clients will be served by professionals undergoing training and labor itineraries, facilitating their entry into the job market. "When you buy here, you will do so with purpose, because you will be contributing to a more inclusive tourism model committed to people," she stated. She emphasized the importance of promoting the social economy, especially after Canary Islands was designated the Spanish Capital of Social Economy in 2027.
The mayor of Tacoronte, Sandra Izquierdo, accompanied by the second deputy mayor, José Caro, the Councilor for Commerce, Magdalena Ávila, and the Councilor for Employment and Local Development, Eduardo Dávila, described the initiative as "an unprecedented and brave commitment to social and labor insertion in the Canary Islands." She wished the agency the greatest success for its social, sustainable, and solidarity-driven nature.
The director of Trampolín Solidario, Lupe Martín, thanked the support and highlighted the capacity of insertion companies to innovate and compete in any sector. "We want tourism, in addition to being an economic engine for the Canary Islands, to also be an engine of opportunities for people," she said. Representatives from other insertion companies such as Davia, Isonorte Empleo, Aldeaslab, Rayuela, Meraki, and Activando Sueños were also present.
The Government of the Canary Islands has promoted the social economy through the creation of the Social Economy Commission, the publication of the White Paper and Catalog of Social Economy Entities, the celebration of the I Social Economy Forum, the approval of the Social Economy Strategy, specific calls for proposals, and the first University Expert in Social Economy of the Canary Islands offered by the ULL. These actions have contributed to the Canary Islands being the Spanish Capital of Social Economy in 2027, shared by Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
