Representatives from the Fifteen Cities Advance Strategic Lines in Culture, Tourism, and Heritage for 2026
This week, San Cristóbal de La Laguna participated in a new working meeting of Spain’s Group of Heritage Cities (GCPHE), where informative commissions for Culture, Sports and Education; Tourism; and Heritage and City were held. The meeting took place in the city of Úbeda and brought together representatives from the fifteen cities that make up the Group, with the aim of advancing joint work lines and strategic planning for the year ahead.
The delegation from La Laguna included the Councillor for Heritage, Adolfo Cordobés; the municipal representative for Tourism, Estefanía Díaz; and the Councillor for Culture, Adrián del Castillo. Throughout the day, key issues related to tourism promotion, historical heritage protection, and urban planning were discussed, alongside cultural and educational dynamism, defining the main lines of action for 2026.
Adolfo Cordobés, La Laguna’s Cultural Heritage Councillor, stated that, “The work carried out in the Group’s Heritage Commission has allowed us to draw valuable conclusions regarding conservation, innovative management, and the international projection of our historical legacy. La Laguna’s participation in this meeting has also provided us with the opportunity to share our strategic plan and experiences we are developing in the municipality, creating an exchange with other cities that enhances collaboration and helps us consolidate a more effective, sustainable, and citizen-oriented management model.”
Estefanía Díaz, the Tourism Councillor, reiterated that “La Laguna is the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the Canary Islands, and from this Department, we work to honour and enhance this status, which places us as a significant cultural and heritage reference in the islands. This recognition is, moreover, an evident tourist attraction that reinforces our projection and encourages us to continue caring for and spreading our historical legacy.”
Finally, Adrián del Castillo noted during his commission the significant impact and success of the eighth edition of the Heritage Night, which not only celebrated the value of emblematic buildings but also highlighted culture and art as vehicles of expression to engage the public and convey the meanings of traditions and history from the fifteen cities.
The working day also tackled key topics linked to tourism promotion, such as the protection of historical heritage and urban planning, as well as cultural and educational dynamism, outlining the main action lines for 2026.
Additionally, the work accomplished over recent months has been valued and lines were drawn for the Group’s participation in FITUR 2026, with the final proposal set to be approved at the November Assembly. Other critical topics discussed included the role of new technologies, sustainability, and tourism quality, highlighting actions developed in the Group’s cities to attract travellers who add value.
Lastly, various projects were discussed, including educational initiatives aimed at bringing heritage closer to primary and secondary students, emphasising collaborations with universities and Erasmus programmes that will continue to promote knowledge and awareness of our cities across the country.
