Tourism and Betancuria Town Council advance agreement to promote Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages

Betancuria, Fuerteventura’s only representative in the national network of Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages, will benefit from an agreement being prepared by the Canary Islands Government’s Department of Tourism and Employment alongside four other municipalities in the archipelago: Agulo (La Gomera), Garachico (Tenerife), Teguise (Lanzarote) and Tejeda (Gran Canaria).

The agreement, which is in the final stages of preparation, will enable the regional government and Betancuria Town Council to coordinate efforts on tourism infrastructure projects aimed at improving the quality of the destination and enhancing visitors’ experience, while preserving the municipality’s authenticity and heritage value.

Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León said: “This agreement is in line with the Canary Islands Strategy for Island Tourism Infrastructure and responds to the need to combine heritage conservation with functional modernisation. We want a responsible tourism model that improves the quality of life of Betancuria’s residents and enhances visitors’ experience.”

Planned measures include improving safety and lighting in public spaces, making streets and alleyways in the historic centre more accessible, placing electricity and telecommunications cables underground, integrating waste containers into their surroundings, managing road traffic, and creating green areas and adapted spaces.

Héctor Mateo, Director General for Infrastructure, Sustainability and Tourism Quality, said: “This agreement will establish common criteria and secure the necessary funding so that municipalities such as Betancuria can carry out projects that combine tourism quality with respect for heritage.”

The network of Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages, which Betancuria has belonged to since 2020, comprises 122 municipalities across the country recognised for their historical, cultural and landscape character. The agreement strengthens Betancuria’s position as a cultural landmark in Fuerteventura and a key location in the Canary Islands’ tourism promotion strategy.