Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Tue September 29, 2026
WHY IT RATES: Northern Gran Canaria celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 in Santa María de Guía, focusing on AI and digital transformation in tourism, while recognizing the unique cultural, gastronomic, and natural offerings of the region through various awards and showcases.
Santa María de Guía was the meeting point for tourism in the North of Gran Canaria September 27, on World Tourism Day 2026, a celebration organized by Turismo de Gran Canaria, the Mancomunidad del Norte and the Santa María de Guía City Council, with the collaboration of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce.
The event focused on artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of the tourism sector, in line with this year's theme chosen by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): 'Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism'. The program took place at the Plaza Grande in the historic center of Santa María de Guía, where the 11 municipalities of the Northern Commonwealth, together with Gran Canaria Tourism, showcased their tourism, cultural, gastronomic and leisure offerings through various stands.
During the morning, two virtual scavenger hunts were held through the tourist resources of Santa María de Guía, and the program included the presentation of the 2026 North Gran Canaria Tourism Recognition Awards, as well as a musical performance.
The Tourism Councillor of Gran Canaria, Carlos Álamo, highlighted during the presentation that Guía will become a meeting point to "celebrate tourism and think about the tourism of the future", with artificial intelligence as a tool that is transforming the way of traveling, promoting destinations and relating to the sector.
However, Álamo emphasized that technological transformation must keep people and the land at its core. In this regard, he noted that the North of Gran Canaria possesses unique characteristics that no technology can replace, such as its landscape, gastronomy, nature, heritage, and identity.
“The future of tourism is also being written in the North of Gran Canaria,” Álamo stated, considering Sunday's event an opportunity to showcase the tourism offerings of the coast and midlands up to the summit, the agricultural landscapes, heritage, culture, gastronomy and the businesses capable of transforming all of this into memorable tourist experiences.
A well-established celebration in the North
Since 2016, World Tourism Day in Northern Gran Canaria has been celebrated each year in a different municipality. This year it takes place in Santa María de Guía, further establishing an initiative that aims to highlight the region's tourism industry and the work carried out by businesses and professionals in the sector.
The president of the Tourism Commission of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, Santiago de Armas, highlighted the history of this celebration, which has become a key event for tourism in the Canary Islands. He also emphasized its importance in recognizing both visitors and the tourism sector as a whole, as well as the cultural and economic exchange it fosters.
De Armas explained that these awards recognize the work of companies and organizations that have dedicated themselves to tourism and contribute to the development of their municipalities. This year, the following companies and organizations from the 11 municipalities of the Northern Commonwealth will be recognized:
Accommodation
Moya: Emblematic House La Alameda.
Agaete: Hotel Puerto de las Nieves.
Restoration
Tejeda: El Cairete Bar Restaurant.
Valleseco: Los Rubios Restaurant.
Leisure
Arucas: Heineken 5 comments.
Santa María de Guía: Vergara Mountain Sports Club.
Innovation
Artenara: Jaramago.
Firgas: Peligroso Pérez Distillery.
Gáldar: Turiscan.
Sustainability
Teror: Benjamin's Shop.
The Village of San Nicolás: Api Tourism 'The fascinating world of bees'.
The awards recognize the trajectory and work of companies and entities that contribute to the tourism development of their municipalities and the entire North of Gran Canaria.
Santa María de Guía, setting for the celebration
The acting president of the Commonwealth of Northern Gran Canaria and mayor of Santa María de Guía, Alfredo Gonçalves, thanked the administrations and municipal workers for their involvement in organizing this celebration and highlighted the opportunity it represents for the municipality to host the main event.
Gonçalves emphasized the importance of showcasing the riches of Gran Canaria, and especially Santa María de Guía, to both visitors and the wider community, and encouraged participation in an event designed to highlight the attractions of the North. The Commonwealth, in collaboration with the tourism departments of its eleven municipalities, has developed a program aimed at introducing local and international visitors to the diverse resources of the region.
During the event, attendees were able to learn about the tourism offerings of the 11 municipalities and of Gran Canaria Tourism as well as get closer to the projects and companies recognized this year.
SOURCE: Gran Canaria Tourist Board
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