La Recova, a venue intertwined with the history of Arrecife, hosted last night the official ceremony of the Arrecife Town Hall, where the Arrecife City Tourism Awards 2025 were presented. The event was organised by the Department of Commerce and Tourism. In front of a large representation from the tourism, commercial, sports, institutional, and social sectors, the city’s mayor, Yonathan de León, expressed his satisfaction with the progress Arrecife is experiencing and outlined some of the projects the Town Hall will undertake to further transform and modernise the urban landscape, connecting the neighbourhoods with the city centre. The mayor congratulated the award winners, stating, “You represent the men and women of Arrecife, where culture, sports, business, talent, and leadership have driven the progress of this city and all of Lanzarote. Progress achieved through capability and dedication, reflected in the sectors to which you are linked and for which you have been recognised and awarded.”
“Lanzarote would not be the same, nor would the progress of our people,” the mayor emphasised during his speech, “without the vision of our beloved son César Manrique, and the professionals who have dedicated themselves to making us a desired destination for millions seeking annual holidays. It is no coincidence that the venue through which these millions of visitors arrive bears Manrique’s name, the individual who recognised the beauty of our volcanic island as the attraction for those yearning to visit this small but extraordinary paradise.”
Yonathan de León reminded attendees that “tourism is a strength that brings hope to thousands of families through employment. However, we must, and are doing so without exception, strengthen other subsectors to ensure that island families continue to have a future. A significant future.” He added, “During this term, we have outlined a roadmap not only for tourism but also for commerce, leisure, and hospitality, among others.”
The mayor of Arrecife highlighted that “the initiatives we have implemented have led to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs in hospitality, leisure, and commerce in the past two years. These are figures from social security registrations, with significant reductions in unemployment rates. Never before has an investment in dynamisation created so many new jobs in the municipality as has been achieved from 2023 until now.”
During his presentation, the mayor confirmed that as part of the accommodation sector’s renovation, the significant Lanzarote business group, Cabrera Medina, has registered with the Town Hall a project for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Hotel Miramar, the oldest hotel in Arrecife. This will allow the entire accommodation sector in the city to showcase both modernity and quality.
Yonathan de León, pleased with this commitment to the renewal and quality of the hotel sector, announced some upcoming projects to be undertaken by the Town Hall’s Department of Works, of which he is head, and previewed new investments that the private sector will make in Lanzarote’s capital over the next three years.
The transformation of Arrecife will come soon, the mayor stated. “Alongside public investments of over 20 million euros in two years, we have private investment as well. We have received licence applications from SMEs in Lanzarote, throughout the Canary Islands, and abroad, projecting nearly 100 million euros in Arrecife during 2026, 2027, and 2028. These projects, already registered, include the construction of commercial facilities, new residential buildings, and the renewal of existing tourist installations without resulting in the need for new land, a necessity for an island like Lanzarote.”
“When private companies invest in Arrecife, it signifies that we, as a city and a destination, have a future,” Yonathan de León stressed, confirming that in the Charco de San Ginés area, renovations will be visible in the coming months for buildings currently showing signs of neglect, funded by Swiss and Arab investments. New designer restaurants will also open along the Avenue and around the Charco, promoting Arrecife as the new capital for leisure and high-end hospitality and dining. Among the registered private investments are new residential buildings, new commercial buildings, and the rehabilitation and repurposing of current properties, all contributing to enhancing the urban image of the areas in Arrecife where they are projected or located.
Recognising the Contributions of Award Recipients
The Councillor for Commerce, Tourism, and Sports, and spokesperson for the PP, Eli Merino, highlighted during her speech that travellers “come seeking nature, culture, climate, and also something very valuable—hospitality, which sometimes only becomes apparent from our sector.”
Eli Merino had a special remembrance for the late Lito Guillén, former president of the Taxi Cooperative, and Aitor Galón, former director of the Port Authority in Lanzarote (both members of the Tourism Committee). She remarked, “Those of us gathered here in La Recova know that what makes us great as a destination is the essence of the locals, everyone who loves and cherishes this land. This hospitality has defined us as a society over decades, and we must continue to showcase it to the tourists who return each year to Lanzarote.”
The councillor became emotional during her address, expressing gratitude to the families of the award recipients and her own, acknowledging that the success of these individuals is also due to their families’ support. “I say this out of conviction. Dedicating time means having less time for their families. Therefore, please allow me, in the final moments of my words, to thank the families of each award recipient for their contributions and support in reaching this point. I also extend my gratitude to my daughters and husband, as leading the departments I oversee requires significant dedication, and families know we are here due to our public commitment to moving things forward.”
The councillor emphasised that “to continue growing as a destination in line with the new models sought by travellers and tourists in these decades, we must all head in the same direction and raise awareness, especially among those who oppose tourism, that progress comes when we cherish those who visit us so they will return. Hospitality must remain within the DNA of the Lanzarote population.”
Awards Presented
The Tourism Committee of Arrecife, comprised of representatives from institutions, groups, companies, and professionals linked to the tourism sector both in the capital and throughout Lanzarote, approved the awarding of the Arrecife City Tourism Awards. In the professional trajectory category, the award went to Héctor Fernández Manchado, CEO of Turismo Lanzarote, and former Marketing lecturer at the Lanzarote School of Tourism, affiliated with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The award for sports achievement was presented to Ambrosio José Martín Cedrés, known as Ambos Martín, current coach of the National Women’s Handball Team. This son of Arrecife, whose career started in the La Destila neighbourhood, stands out as the most successful Spanish coach, with four Champions League titles. Last night, he received this award with great emotion, recognising his sporting career.
The Arrecife Town Hall also conferred the award for sports events to the organisers of the Lanzarote Summer Challenge, the most significant international CrossFit tournament held in Spain and one of the most important in Europe, with Arrecife as its epicentre. Its annual celebration aligns with the municipal strategy promoted by the Departments of Tourism and Sports to position Arrecife as the capital for events and sports.
Finally, Antonio Orosa (Toni Orosa), now retired, received the award in the category of artistic and cultural achievement. Orosa has been connected for decades to the patronal festivities of San Ginés, which have been declared of National Tourist Interest, as well as the Arrecife Carnivals, and has worked with the Lanzarote Tourist Board (the precursor to the current Turismo Lanzarote entity). Professionals like him have joined the outstanding individuals from previous editions who have contributed to the vast international projection that Arrecife and Lanzarote now enjoy as a destination.
In conclusion, Mayor Yonathan de León presented the sculpture, created by artist Cintia Machín, to the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, which received the top award of Turismo Arrecife 2025. The president of RCNA, Julio Romero Ortega, accepted the sculpture and invited a representation of the club’s executives, members, and employees to join him on stage, highlighting the club’s role in the nautical and social activities of Arrecife, which has produced many renowned local sailors, some of whom are Olympic competitors, and significant sporting events.
The event was presented by journalist Laura San José and featured an extraordinary opening performance, Lajala, created specifically for the gala, with performances by Jela, Jennifer Artiles, and the Ballet of Tenerife.
