Tourism Fuerteventura approves Strategic Plan updates to qualify for wider-area funding

The Governing Board of the Fuerteventura Island Tourism Board held an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the Casa Palacio Insular in Puerto del Rosario. It discussed two key matters for the island’s tourism management: updates to the 2022–2026 Strategic Tourism Plan and a report on promotional activities carried out during the third quarter of 2026.

The board approved the addition of new priorities to bring the Strategic Plan into line with the requirements of new funding and grant schemes operating beyond the island level.

The new priorities include climate and green alignment, the destination’s digital transformation and the local social impact of tourism. The plan’s term has also been extended to 2027.

During the third quarter, the Island Tourism Board carried out promotional activities in Fuerteventura’s main source markets, with a particular focus on the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and the domestic market.

In the UK, the Board held an event with Jet2 in Leeds in July, alongside nine Fuerteventura-based hotel groups, and ran a co-marketing campaign with the operator across the UK throughout August. On 28 July, a new direct route between London Heathrow and Fuerteventura was announced. British Airways will operate the service from 13 December 2026, marking the first direct connection between the island and Heathrow.

In Scandinavia, the Board presented the island’s tourism offer to TUI Nordic teams in Copenhagen and Stockholm on 2 and 3 September respectively, with Coral Beach Hoteles, Elba Hoteles and Meliá Hoteles in attendance. TUI Nordic will operate scheduled flights from Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo from 23 October 2026, after a seven-year absence.

In Germany, the Board ran a co-marketing campaign with HolidayCheck throughout August to boost sales for the 2026/27 winter season. In Poland, it continued a similar campaign with ITAKA, the country’s leading tour operator.

In the domestic market, Fuerteventura was the guest island at the Magdalena en Vivo festival in Santander from 24 to 26 July, with Queso Majorero tastings and audiovisual content shown to an estimated audience of 50,000. On 9 September, the island’s cuisine was showcased in Madrid at the “Embarque a Fuerteventura” tasting event at COAM’s Espacio Iberia, in collaboration with Iberia Express. During the quarter, Madmen Magazine published a special feature on Fuerteventura, produced entirely on the island with the Board’s support, while a co-marketing campaign with Viajes El Corte Inglés continued.

As part of its work with international travel professionals, the Board hosted a group of North American travel agents in August on a familiarisation visit coordinated with Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura and Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa. On 10 July, it also held a workshop with agrotourism businesses mentored by SEGITTUR and the main international tour operators with a presence on the island, as part of the MISEA programme.

In sport, the Board sponsored the 38th World Windsurfing and Wingfoil Championship, held at Playa de Sotavento from 17 to 31 July and featuring elite athletes from around the world; the XXX Gran Tarajal Big Game Fishing Championship, held from 10 to 12 September; and La Oliva’s Baifo Extrem.

Upcoming activities include the 2026 Distinguished Tourism Awards Gala on 25 September in Plaza de Santa María, Betancuria, and participation in the Jet2 and Destinations Convention in Leeds on 30 September.

Marlene Figueroa, Fuerteventura Island Council’s Tourism Councillor and vice-president of the Fuerteventura Island Tourism Board, said: “This quarter we have combined a direct presence in markets and professional channels with sales campaigns and promotional activities linked to Fuerteventura’s tourism offer. The aim is for each activity to deliver a tangible return for the destination.”

The councillor also said: “Updating the Strategic Plan opens up a route for Fuerteventura to access funding beyond the island level and consolidate a tourism roadmap focused on quality, sustainability and a real impact on the territory and its residents.”

The meeting provided an opportunity to report on promotional activity during the quarter and to advance the update of Fuerteventura’s tourism planning for the coming years.