Santa Cruz de Tenerife is intensifying efforts to establish itself as a premier destination for business tourism and conferences. This initiative includes a range of services, such as event planning, organisation, and support for business events, all aimed at enhancing its appeal to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
The city’s participation in the Tourism Innovation Summit in Seville underscores this ambition. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez highlighted the involvement of the Development Company, which represented Santa Cruz at the summit to solidify its position in this competitive market.
Embracing Innovation and Sustainability
Carmen Pérez, CEO of the Development Company, explained that the Tourism Innovation Summit attracted over 221 exhibiting companies showcasing advanced technological solutions for the tourism industry. Innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are reshaping how tourists plan and experience their journeys, offering opportunities for destinations like Santa Cruz to adapt and thrive.
The summit, featuring insights from 416 expert speakers, also emphasised sustainability. Discussions centred on strategies to promote responsible and ethical tourism practices that minimise environmental impact while meeting modern travellers’ expectations.
Key Insights and Future Plans
The Development Company’s team engaged in various meetings to explore emerging trends in business traveller behaviour and how these innovations are being applied in other destinations. This included studying success stories from the sector to identify potential opportunities for Santa Cruz to adopt.
Carmen Pérez highlighted that these insights could help Santa Cruz improve its infrastructure and services, enabling the city to grow further as a business tourism destination.
Santa Cruz Convention Bureau
The summit also served as a platform to promote the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Convention Bureau, an initiative launched in April to support professionals organising events in the city. The bureau offers free, impartial advice and logistical assistance, collaborating with local service providers to attract more events and congresses to the municipality.
Services Offered
The city provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to the needs of business tourism, including:
- Event Planning and Organisation: Assistance in all stages of event management.
- Logistical and Financial Support: Aid in preparing applications for hosting conferences.
- Collaboration with Local Businesses: Strengthening ties with local service providers to deliver high-quality experiences for MICE tourism.
A Vision for Growth
Santa Cruz de Tenerife continues to position itself as a leader in innovation, sustainability, and collaboration within the business tourism sector. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering partnerships, the city is poised to attract more professionals, events, and opportunities, driving economic growth and reinforcing its reputation as a top destination for business and conference tourism.
