Fuerteventura’s Strategic Promotions at Fitur 2020
On January 22, 2020, the beautiful island of Fuerteventura embarked on an ambitious promotional campaign at the 40th edition of the Feria Internacional de Turismo (Fitur) in Madrid. With high hopes for growth, the local tourism sector had compelling reasons to celebrate as projections indicated a 5% increase in international tourism for the year. This optimism particularly focused on restoring the significant market quota from German tourists, who have always been key visitors to the island.
Agenda of Activities and Meetings
The Fuerteventura Tourist Board arrived with an aggressive agenda, setting up 33 meetings with both national and international operators. These were not just any routine interactions; they represented the island’s strategic approach to reaffirming its place in the competitive tourism landscape. Notable figures at the event included Antonio Vicente Hormiga, President of the Association of Tourist Entrepreneurs of Fuerteventura (Asofuer), and Luis Cardona, President of Excelfuert. Their presence underscored the collaboration necessary to elevate the tourist experience across the island.
Leadership Focus on Connectivity and Growth
Blas Acosta, the President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, outlined the island’s priorities at the fair, emphasizing the need to strengthen partnerships with tour operators. Acosta articulated a vision for increased visibility at events like Fitur, sharing that Fuerteventura has outpaced growth compared to other Canary Islands in recent years. Highlighting the future, he stated that Fuerteventura is positioned to be the island with the most significant growth during the upcoming summer season, particularly through enhanced air connectivity.
Sustainability and Digital Innovations
Reflecting a shift towards sustainable tourism practices, the Fuerteventura Tourist Board announced a commitment to sustainable promotion by reducing paper usage. Instead of traditional brochures, digital methods would take center stage at the event. Attendees were encouraged to visit www.visitfuerteventura.app for all necessary information, and the newly launched website https://visitfuerteventura.es showcased a modern, user-friendly design aimed at promoting local businesses legally.
Municipality Highlights and Unique Offerings
As Fuerteventura’s municipalities showcased their unique offerings, it was clear that the island has much to boast about. La Oliva, for instance, highlighted two major international events, the 32nd International Kite Festival and the 13th International Blues Festival, slated for October. Moreover, traditional events like Carnival were spotlighted for their potential to draw tourists, particularly the vibrant Gala Drag. Further, a newly released “Tourism for All” guide showcased the municipality’s commitment to being an accessible destination.
Pájara’s Sporting Events and Cultural Insights
Meanwhile, the municipality of Pájara brought attention to significant sporting events, such as the Windsurf and Kitesurf Championship and the SwimRun Fuerteventura, recently included in the Aquaticrunner World Cup Half Distance. Pájara also unveiled a new publication, “Pájara – Playas de Jandía,” meant to visually narrate the beauty of southern Fuerteventura. A detailed map highlighting points of interest in Pájara and the greater island served as a resource for visitors.
Celebrating Historical Milestones in Puerto del Rosario
Puerto del Rosario held a special significance during Fitur, marking its 225th anniversary. This milestone was paired with upcoming events like the inaugural Tanit Festival in May and the Festival of Cultures, Music, and Art. The municipality’s engagement included various sports events, street activities, and culinary weeks designed to elevate community spirit and draw in tourism.
Tuineje’s Cultural Heritage and Festivals
Tuineje announced the 280th anniversary of the Juradas de San Miguel Arcángel Festival, which gained National Tourist Interest recognition the previous year. Alongside this, the municipality is distributing an informative brochure detailing historical battles significant to the area, such as those involving local inhabitants and British pirate ships. The 10th edition of the Tran Tran International Clown Festival is also set to entertain visitors, reinforcing the cultural heritage that makes Tuineje unique.
Meeting with Operators and Future Projections
Throughout the day, President Acosta and Tourism Board Director Moisés Jorge engaged in pivotal conversations with various tour operators. Noteworthy announcements included FTI’s considerable growth towards Fuerteventura, which entailed daily charter flights from multiple German cities starting February 1. Iberia Express confirmed an 11.6% increase in air capacity from Madrid, while the Hungarian company Viasale planned its first charter flights to Fuerteventura starting in July. The operator Thalasso Nº1 reported a 59% increase in sales for the upcoming tourist season, underscoring the island’s growing appeal.
Fuerteventura’s proactive approach and strong presence at Fitur 2020 is setting a hopeful tone for an exciting year ahead in tourism, highlighting the island’s rich offerings and unique attractions.
