As part of Fitur Know-How & Export, an action plan for 2026 has been signed that will promote the know-how of companies in the archipelago internationally.
The Vice Minister of the Presidency and president of Proexca, Alfonso Cabello; the Deputy Minister of Economy and Internationalization and Vice President of Proexca, Gustavo González de Vega; the president of Excelcan, Santiago de Armas; and the vice president of Excelcan, José Carlos Francisco, were the protagonists in the signing of the agreement for 2026 actions between Proexca and Excelcan – Association for Research, Study and Excellence in the Tourism Sector in the Canary Islands, within the framework of Fitur Know – How & Export.
“The tourism sector generates 23,000 million euros in the Canary Islands. We need to grow that income by looking at internationalization, through artificial intelligence, through the technological base and transfer of knowledge. There are many companies that have been working in the Canary Islands for decades and it is about being competitive and putting that into value internationally,” said Alfonso Cabello.
This act is the strategic vision that seeks to shift the center of gravity of the Canary Islands economy from the mere offer of accommodation services to the export of technological intangibles and expert knowledge.
The relevance of this agreement for 2026 lies in its ability to anticipate a global environment characterized by uncertainty. While previous years showed vigorous growth, projections for 2026 suggest an economic slowdown, with an estimated growth that could be 0.9%, significantly below the 4.4% recorded in 2024. Given this situation, the public-private alliance becomes a tool of strategic resilience, designed to shield the Canary Islands tourism sector through innovation and the internationalization of its know-how.
This agreement seeks to export the entire tourism value chain of the Canary Islands (the know-how). From hotel management and air connectivity to digitalization, personnel training, sustainability and health services linked to tourism. For operational deployment in 2026, both institutions have selected two priority markets due to proximity and opportunities: Cape Verde and Senegal.
Excelcan’s work arises from the desire of the main tourism corporations of the archipelago to actively contribute to the change in the regional development model. Its purpose is to provide value through the transfer of knowledge and a strategic vision that addresses not only economic profitability, but also the social and environmental needs of the environment. Excelcan brings together leading companies in key sectors such as transportation, hospitality, healthcare and leisure. This diversity gives it a comprehensive analysis capacity of the tourism value chain. Among its members are groups such as Lopesan, Satocan, Grupo CIO, Binter and Loro Parque, all of them with a strong innovative component and a shared commitment to sustainability.
Proexca will be the executing arm, as it has been for the economic development policy of the Government of the Canary Islands, operating under the premise that internationalization is the most effective vehicle for regional diversification. The mission of the entity has evolved from mere foreign promotion to comprehensive support of Canarian companies in their opening to new markets, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the business fabric and generating high-quality employment.
Support to 13 technology companies
This signing takes place in pavilion 12, next to the “Canary Islands, our best version” stand, which brings together the agents involved in the internationalization of Canarian companies in the technology sector whose projects, programs and services are related to or have a place in the tourism sector. Together with the Canarias Excelencia Tecnológica and IncoLab cluster, Proexca accompanies 13 of these companies with innovation and cutting-edge projects that promote responsible, sustainable, intelligent tourism that generates quality employment.
These companies had the opportunity to present their projects in the pitch session before an important audience, opinion leaders and opportunity generators, with whom they hope to be able to materialize future agreements. The meeting agendas and the subsequent dynamic networking exemplify the importance of accompanying the business community of the Canary Islands to the sectoral enclaves where the lines of action of the industries for the coming years are decided.
Companies presented:
Atlantis Technology
Bakata
Carambola Animación
DESIC | Consultora Tecnológica
Effiwaste
Fibras Naturales Canarias
Tawayro
MNX Online
Nautic Ocean
Proyectran
Qraneos
Secret Source
Técnicas Competitivas S.A.