Laura Santiago Aguiar, vice-president of Clúster Agrotech Canarias, took part in the XI Encuentro Internacional de AgroEnoturismo de Canarias, held in Valverde (El Hierro), a forum for sharing experience and knowledge on the development of agritourism, wine tourism and economic opportunities in rural areas.
The event brought together professionals, specialists and institutional representatives to reflect on the relationship between farming and tourism, and on the need to promote responsible, sustainable and accessible development models.
As part of the event, Laura Santiago spoke at the panel discussion “Entrepreneurship and Women in Agritourism and Wine Tourism: Leadership and Rural Equity”, which examined women’s role in local economic activity and opportunities to strengthen entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Women’s leadership and opportunities for rural areas
During her contribution, Santiago shared her perspective on innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development in rural settings, drawing on her professional experience as chief executive of Grupo Félix Santiago Melián and her role as vice-president of Clúster Agrotech Canarias.
The panel placed women’s leadership and rural equity at the centre of the discussion, examining their importance for the development of economic activities linked to the primary sector and tourism.
Agritourism and wine tourism offer opportunities to connect agricultural production, local heritage and tourism, helping to diversify economic activities and highlight local resources and knowledge.
A meeting place for the Canary Islands’ rural ecosystem
The XI Encuentro Internacional de AgroEnoturismo de Canarias brought together representatives from academia, institutions and business, chaired by the rector of the University of La Laguna, Francisco García.
The initiative, linked to the Canary Islands Chair in Agritourism and Wine Tourism of the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-food Quality (ICCA) and the University of La Laguna, encouraged the exchange of experiences on the future of these activities and their contribution to rural development.
The participation of the vice-president of Clúster Agrotech Canarias brought the perspective of business cooperation and innovation to a discussion connecting the primary sector with new opportunities for entrepreneurship and local development.
