Some places are discovered while travelling, and every new visit brings another reason to return. In Santiago del Teide, World Tourism Day is also an opportunity to celebrate a connection that grows stronger over the years and to thank those who continue to choose the municipality for their holidays.
Each year, Santiago del Teide Town Council recognises different visitors who return to stay in the municipality. Once again, the event involves local accommodation providers and benefits from the collaboration of Volcanic Xperience and GMR Canarias. This year, it also features a new addition: the artistic vision of Txemy Basualto.
Recognising those who return
The presentation of certificates gives a name to some of the people who have chosen Santiago del Teide on numerous occasions over the years. The establishments where they are staying take part in this recognition and help to share their stories through the experiences they have enjoyed in the municipality.
This year, the couples recognised are Stewart Donaldson and Isobel Jessie, and Jean Mitchell Tarniewicz and Martine Marie Reine Morel, who are staying at Barceló Santiago; Johns Stephenson and Lorraine Stephenson, guests at Landmar Playa La Arena; and Denys Brown and Sheila Brown, who are staying at TUI BLUE Los Gigantes.
Beyond the number of stays, this recognition celebrates the connection built with Santiago del Teide through its landscapes, culture, everyday life and the people who form part of each visit.
The Mayor of Santiago del Teide, Emilio Navarro, highlights the significance of this recognition: “World Tourism Day gives us an opportunity to thank those who continue to see Santiago del Teide as a place they wish to return to. Their loyalty reflects a connection with the municipality that has grown over the years and in which our landscapes, our culture and our people play an essential role.”
Santiago del Teide by Txemy
This year’s celebration features an original work created for Santiago del Teide by Txemy Basualto. The Cliffs of Los Gigantes immediately draw the eye, but rather than creating a literal depiction of the landscape, the artist offers a personal interpretation that invites viewers to see it from a different perspective.
Born in Chile, raised in Tenerife and based in Barcelona for many years, Txemy’s work has appeared on walls, in galleries and in projects around the world. This piece has allowed him to turn his attention once again to the Canarian landscape and connect his current work with childhood memories of growing up by the sea.
To bring this landscape into his painting, the artist chose a craft-based technique using a particularly fluid wash. It was the first time he had used this process to create a graphic motif, so the final result gradually took shape during the creative process itself. In the work, the cliffs coexist with the ocean and the atmosphere surrounding this setting, creating a recognisable image of Santiago del Teide while remaining true to Txemy’s artistic language.
The work therefore becomes the creative focus of the campaign prepared for World Tourism Day and defines the visual identity of the different materials used as part of the celebration.
A gift combining art, culture and local produce
The recognition does not end with the presentation of a certificate. Each couple also receives several gifts designed to provide a lasting reminder of Santiago del Teide and of the connection they have built with the municipality over the course of their visits.
A handcrafted clay piece made in keeping with the municipality’s pottery tradition represents part of its culture and heritage. It is accompanied by boxes of almonds featuring Txemy’s artwork, bringing together Canarian produce and an image created especially for this year’s celebration. The participation of GMR Canarias and Volcanic Xperience makes it possible to include this gift once again.
The Councillor for Tourism, Luz Goretti Gorrín, explains: “Sharing this day with people who have been choosing Santiago del Teide for so many years and hearing about the experiences they have enjoyed during their stays is one of the most special parts of this celebration. The involvement of the accommodation providers and the collaboration of GMR Canarias and Volcanic Xperience allow us to accompany each certificate with elements that bring together artistic creation and local produce.”
The people behind every visit
World Tourism Day provides an opportunity to recognise those who choose Santiago del Teide to discover its landscapes, explore its culture and enjoy each stay responsibly and with respect for the environment. It also highlights the contribution of professionals working in different areas who help to shape a welcoming, well-cared-for destination that remains true to its identity.
The four certificates give a name to stories built over many years, while Txemy’s work, the postcards and the gifts provide a shared visual identity for the 2026 celebration. Together, these elements express a shared sense of gratitude: to those who return and to those whose work and commitment help define Santiago del Teide as a destination.
