Canary Islands Unveil Groundbreaking Selfie Route
The Canary Islands Tourism and Employment Department has launched the archipelago’s first selfie spot in Arucas, Gran Canaria, marking the debut of the innovative “Photographic Route of the Canary Islands.” This pilot project, developed by the public company Gesprotur with a €204,000 budget, will eventually feature 24 strategically placed posts across the islands. Each spot offers travelers the chance to capture the perfect selfie while accessing digital and audiovisual information about the location.
Smart Tourism Meets Sustainability
Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León highlighted the project’s dual focus on cultural heritage and data-driven tourism. Each post is equipped with the patented “TURS Take Your Selfie” system, allowing visitors to frame their shots perfectly while scanning a QR code for multilingual information, interactive maps, videos, and audio guides. “This initiative integrates smart tourism tools like geolocation while gathering valuable visitor data to enhance the travel experience,” de León explained. She also emphasized the posts’ sustainability, as they require no electricity.
Exploring the Islands Through a Lens
Gesprotur CEO Ignacio Solana noted the project’s goal of creating a network of photogenic hotspots to encourage exploration between towns and islands. “Travelers can curate their own selfie trail while discovering lesser-known areas that could benefit from increased tourism,” he said. The 24 planned locations include four in Gran Canaria (Arucas, Tejeda, Artenara, Agaete), three in Fuerteventura (Betancuria, Tuineje, La Oliva), three in Lanzarote (La Geria, Teguise, Arrecife), four in Tenerife (La Orotava, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos), three in La Palma (El Paso, Garafía, Santa Cruz de La Palma), one in San Sebastián de La Gomera, and two in El Hierro (El Pinar and La Restinga).
Arucas Leads the Way
Arucas Mayor Juan Jesús Facundo showcased the inaugural post in Plaza de la Constitución, which also highlights six other local attractions. “This initiative invites visitors to explore beyond the obvious and experience our archipelago in a fresh, interactive way,” he said. César Déniz of Turs España added that the route will eventually connect all Canary municipalities, guiding travelers to key cultural and scenic spots while collecting data to improve the islands’ tourism offerings.
