Fuerteventura’s Tourism Board holds 2026 Distinguished Tourism Awards gala in Betancuria

Fuerteventura Island Council, through its Island Tourism Board, held the 2026 Fuerteventura Distinguished Tourism Awards gala this evening in Betancuria’s historic centre, in Plaza de Santa María. The event brought together representatives of the island’s tourism sector to recognise the work of those who have contributed to the destination’s development, quality and sustainability.

The Distinguished Awards, known as the Golden Beaches Awards (Playas de Oro), are Fuerteventura’s leading tourism-related institutional recognition and have been awarded continuously since 2004.

This year’s award recipients were:

Golden Beaches Award in the Business category: Agualoe S.L., a Fuerteventura-based company recognised for its contribution to the quality and excellence of the island’s tourism sector.

Golden Beaches Award in the Individual Career category: Raúl Dávila Falcón, in recognition of an outstanding professional career spanning many years in the service of tourism in Fuerteventura.

Golden Beaches Award in the Fuerteventura Blue Destination category: Sönke Schallmey, in recognition of his commitment to preserving the island’s marine environment and beaches.

Golden Beaches Award in the Customer category: Uwe Krug, in recognition of his loyalty as a visitor who has chosen Fuerteventura as a holiday destination year after year.

Special Mention from the Fuerteventura Island Tourism Board: Santiago Travieso Quintana, posthumously, in recognition of his contribution to tourism in Fuerteventura.

Lola García, president of the Fuerteventura Island Tourism Board and Fuerteventura Island Council, said: “These awards are a statement of intent about the kind of tourism we want for Fuerteventura: based on quality, respect for the island and the work of those who give their very best for it.”

The president added: “Recognising the careers of professionals, businesses and loyal visitors is not a ceremonial gesture. It is how Fuerteventura thanks those who choose it and care for it.”

Marlene Figueroa, Fuerteventura Island Council’s tourism councillor and vice-president of the Island Tourism Board, said: “The Distinguished Awards are a mirror in which the island can see and recognise those who have helped shape it. Betancuria, as Fuerteventura’s historic birthplace, is the perfect setting to celebrate the fact that tourism on this island has names, faces and a history.”

The councillor also said: “The posthumous Special Mention for Santiago Travieso Quintana is a reminder that behind every achievement in Fuerteventura’s tourism sector are people who devoted their lives to this destination. Tonight, we pay them the tribute they deserve.”

The 2026 Distinguished Tourism Awards gala thus recognised the careers of professionals and businesses, the loyalty of visitors and the contributions of people involved in the development of tourism in Fuerteventura.