On May 29, the"International Mountain Tourism Day 2025" Theme Events kicked off on Gran Canaria, Spain. With the theme "Embracing Mountains and Seas, Coexisting with Cultures — Mountain Tourism and Cultural Inclusiveness for the Future," the event brought together representatives from international organizations, government officials, industry leaders, experts, scholars, and media worldwide to explore inclusive collaboration and shared development in global mountain tourism. The program included an opening ceremony, thematic forums, mountain cultural exchange sessions, a China-Spain cultural tourism exhibition, and the "Gran Canaria Night" welcome dinner. Participants engaged in diverse formats to share advanced concepts, discuss cutting-edge issues, and deepen practical cooperation. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Miguel Sanz, General Director of Turespaña, delivered a video speech, while -Mr. Antonio Morales Méndez, President of the Government of Gran Canaria, Spain, gave a welcome address.

Full Text of Speeches:

Welcome Address by Mr. Antonio Morales Méndez, President of the Government of Gran Canaria, Spain

"A person must have at least one dream to stay strong." These words, from writer Echo Chen Ping—known by her pen name Sanmao—resonate deeply.

Born in 1943, she spent her golden literary years on this island from 1975 to 1979. After her husband’s tragic death in a diving accident, she left Gran Canaria. Today, her former home in Telde has become a literary pilgrimage site for readers.

I begin with this quote about dreams from a globally renowned writer because in 1950, on this island, we too had a dream—one that has since become reality.

Gran Canaria’s Landscape, Source: Spain’s Gran Canaria Tourism Department

Over centuries, Gran Canaria developed a network of trails and paths for transporting goods, timber, charcoal, and food, and for rotating seasonal pastures and cultivating crops.

These routes, called "blood roads," relied on pack animals: mules, horses, and even single-humped camels carrying bells and millstones. Along them echoed pilgrims’ hymns and funeral prayers, as coffins of pinewood were carried to cemeteries. We also remember the occasional cloth merchants, fish sellers, and teachers who traveled to remote areas accessible only by these paths.

Once, grain cultivation, overgrazing, and timber construction left the land barren and eroded. But over the past 75 years, we’ve rebuilt forest cover. Starting two years ago, we introduced a policy to compensate herders grazing in high-fire-risk areas, helping control vegetation and maintain ideal ecological balance.

The landscape has transformed. On this "ancient island’s" summit, human activity now blends agriculture, livestock farming, and leisure. Thankfully, the harsh struggles for survival and the physically demanding occupations of the past are fading into history.

Gran Canaria’s Landscape, Source: Spain’s Gran Canaria Tourism Department

Today, lumberjacks and charcoal burners are nearly gone, replaced by forest maintenance teams who turn pruned trunks into wood pellet fuel. Ice, once scarce and precious, is now easily made in every home. Dams no longer rely solely on rainfall—they’re filled with desalinated seawater, serving as energy reserves.

This sacred mountain for Canary Islanders has become a global hub for hiking and mountaineering. Its rare geological features and diverse possibilities attract visitors worldwide.

Here, you’ll find majestic rock formations like Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, comparable to China’s Fanjing Mountain; the colorful "porcelain rocks" of Veneguera, reminiscent of Zhangye’s Danxia Landform; and the Ansite Caves, where summer solstice sunlight pierces through with sacred beauty, rivaling Guizhou’s Getu River.

Volcanic Landscape Between Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, Source: Pexels

This is a land of contrasts, just 40 kilometers from the Expomeloneras Convention Center. Dubbed a "mini-continent," its varied terrain hosts Europe’s finest mountain trails.

Starting from the coast, we can climb to 1,900 meters, overlooking the Atlantic’s grand arc that nearly encircles the island. Deep canyons stretch from snow-capped peaks to warm seas, where swimming is possible year-round. Along the way, rich ecosystems and natural wonders await exploration.

Gran Canaria’s Landscape, Source: Spain’s Gran Canaria Tourism Department

Such unique conditions have made Gran Canaria home to one of the world’s top mountain sports events—the Transgrancanaria Ultra Trail. Annually attracting over 4,000 global runners, registration often sells out months in advance, with growing international fame.

In its 20+ years, Transgrancanaria has become part of the North Face Ultra-Trail series. Our island was also selected by the World Trail Majors as one of the nine most prestigious global trail running destinations.

Transgrancanaria Ultra Trail, Source: HK100 Ultra Trail

Whether racing, training, or simply hiking, Gran Canaria offers ideal conditions: breathtaking scenery, convenient transport, quality facilities, safety, and excellent services.

Navigating the island is easy and safe, with routes tailored to challenge or charm. Summit trails, ridge loops, historic paths like the Silver Route (Ruta de La Plata) or Bentejuí Trail offer unforgettable experiences for hikers.

We’ve recently opened the island’s first two long-distance hiking routes—GR 138 and GR 139. These traverse UNESCO World Heritage sites and biosphere reserves, allowing hikers to immerse in unique natural and cultural values.

Transgrancanaria Ultra Trail, Source: HK100 Ultra Trail

The "ancient island’s" geological wonders extend further. A collapsed volcanic crater here hosts the world’s largest "cone sheet," drawing global geology enthusiasts. Today, Tejeda Caldera is a designated National Geological Site.

Amid these mountains, we also gaze at the Canary Islands’ crystal-clear night skies, earning us the "Starlight Destination" title.

Gran Canaria’s Landscape, Source: Spain’s Gran Canaria Tourism Department

We’re crafting diverse tourism experiences—blending traditional sun-and-sand with mountain sports, cultural exploration, culinary delights, archaeological discoveries, and nature adventures.

Welcome to Gran Canaria, a hiker’s paradise that once captivated Sanmao and, through its rich history and cultural diversity, also attracted the interest of President Xi Jinping, making him a cherished guest. Thank you, and may the conference be a great success.

Source: IMTA

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong