Canary Islands and Galicia Forge Strategic Tourism and Gastronomy Partnership at GastroCanarias

The partnership between the Canary Islands and Galicia has reached a new milestone at GastroCanarias 2026, where Galicia was featured as the event’s guest region. Meeting at the Tenerife Trade Fair Center, leaders from both regions discussed a shared strategy to strengthen their ties, which are rooted in their common Atlantic identity and a mutual focus on tourism.

Galician President Alfonso Rueda, Canarian Vice President Manuel Domínguez, and Tenerife Island Council First Vice President Lope Afonso used the event to highlight how gastronomy can help diversify their economies. For Galicia, the fair is a chance to showcase its "Galicia Calidade" brand, which helped attract nearly 9 million visitors last year. Rueda noted that his government is now shifting its focus from simply increasing visitor numbers to prioritizing sustainability and high-quality service—a model he believes serves as a global example.

For the Canary Islands, hosting Galicia—the first region to ever receive guest status at the fair—is a significant step toward professionalizing their local food and agriculture sectors. Lope Afonso emphasized that the event helps connect everyone from local farmers to restaurant owners, ensuring that traditional culinary practices can thrive in a competitive global market.

With nearly 25 Galician brands represented, the event also celebrated the historical bond between the two regions. President Rueda highlighted the long-standing connection between the Canary Islands and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a relationship expected to grow as the 2027 Xacobeo Year approaches. Ultimately, the gathering in Tenerife served as both a showcase for high-quality products and a diplomatic effort to blend cultural heritage with modern tourism, cementing GastroCanarias as a vital event for the national industry.