Cabildo Presents 2025 Distinguished Tourism Awards

The marina of Caleta de Fuste, in the municipality of Antigua, hosted the 2025 Distinguished Tourism Gala of Fuerteventura. The event, timed with International Tourism Day, celebrated four awardees for their trajectory, quality, and tourism initiatives.

Gala and Homages

A cultural show highlighted Caleta de Fuste as a key tourist enclave. The ceremony paid tribute to Francisca “Frasquita” Calero, a pioneering entrepreneur whose hometown has become one of the island’s most prominent tourist destinations. The program also remembered Ángel Jove Capellán, founder of the Elba Hotels chain and the Atlántico Shopping Centre, who had recently passed away.

Remarks from Island Officials

Lola García, President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, thanked the presence of businesspeople and tourism professionals:
“This gathering honors those who, through their work, make Fuerteventura a genuine quality tourist destination. It is essential to showcase their efforts and reflect on the tourism model we want—one that creates jobs, energizes the local economy, and improves the quality of life for residents.”

She also highlighted the coordination between the Cabildo and all municipal governments on the island.

Marlene Figueroa, Councillor for Tourism, congratulated the laureates as “well‑deserving recipients, demonstrating the excellence of Fuerteventura’s tourism sector.” She emphasized that future strategies must involve entrepreneurs, workers, and local institutions to promote greater sustainability and ensure that benefits are shared across the island.

Matías Peña, Mayor of Antigua, added:

“Holding the awards in Caleta de Fuste also honors this tourist locality, which I always appreciate.”
“We celebrate and thank the contributions of outstanding companies, remembering that well‑planned tourism develops alongside an improved quality of life for island residents. Our customs, products, and traditions should define us, not the other way around.”

Award Recipients

• Playa de Oro – “Destino Azul”
  Awarded to: Grupo Catamarán Excursión
  Reason: Recognized for its commitment to marine sustainability and for diversifying the island’s tourism offer. Founded in 2013 in Caleta de Fuste, the company has positioned Fuerteventura as a leading nautical destination in the.

• Playa de Oro – “Cliente”
  Awarded to: Holger Ziechert, German visitor who has traveled to Fuerteventura more than 150 times over 48 years.
  Presented by: Jessica de León, Tourism Councillor of the Government of the Canary Islands.
  Reason: Honored for his loyalty and affection for the island, documented in his books “Mi Fuerteventura antes y ahora” and “Mi Aldiana Club Fuerteventura.”

• Playa de Oro – “Empresa”
  Awarded to: Bodegas Conatvs (Lajares)
  Reason: Recognized as a benchmark rural tourism enterprise. is the first winery in Fuerteventura registered under the Protected Designation of Origin “Islas Canarias,” combining highquality wine production with sustainable, culturally‑rich tourism experiences.

• Trayectoria Individual (Individual Career)
  Awarded to: María Alonso del Pino Brito, owner and manager of La Jaula de Oro restaurant in Ajuy.
  Presented by: President Lola García.
  Reason: The family‑run establishment, founded in the 1950s, has become a gastronomic and social reference for the municipality. For 27 years, María del Pino has championed quality and sustainability through zero‑kilometer products, making the restaurant a meeting point for locals and visitors alike.

Significance

Through these recognitions, the Cabildo of Fuerteventura underscores the importance of a tourism model that generates local employment, stimulates the island’s economy, preserves the environment, and enhances residents’ quality of life.