Las Palmas puts residents at the core of its 2026-2030 tourism plan

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has unveiled its Tourism Marketing Plan 2026-2030, and this is not your typical promotion document. It was presented at the Hotel Santa Catalina and the big shift is putting the resident, not the tourist, at the center. According to Hosteltur, the strategy integrates tourism into economic, social and urban development, with 10 programs such as LPA Deliciosa (gastronomy) and LPA MICE (meetings). Over 100 people helped create it.

Councillor Pedro Quevedo talks about balanced, authentic tourism. To me, this is a smart move: if locals don't feel part of the sector, coexistence suffers. They are also betting on West Africa as a source market, a route many Canary destinations overlook. The risk? That economic diversification could cannibalize hotel business. But with a five-year plan, there is room to adjust.

I see an opportunity for other destinations to look at this model. It is not about abandoning tourism, but about integrating it with local life. The key will be execution.