Introduction

The Maspalomas Costa Canaria International Forum was created in 2012 aiming to continue in years to come. The objective of the second edition of the Forum was to provide a meeting point and a debate platform, to exchange experiences and knowledge, to those who attended the event in 2012 and also to the ones attending it for their first time.

Tourism to the islands is our expertise; based on this fact and taking into consideration the peculiarities that make the islands so attractive to tourism, a study has been carried out and offered to the representatives of destinations such as the Mediterranean islands, the Caribbean and other islands. It was part of this paper to identify the unique challenges to be faced in the coming years by island destinations as well as the challenges that all destinations have in common such as new technologies and products required to meet the needs of increasingly more demanding costumers.

We sincerely believe that is worthwhile taking into account the experience and input of Tourism heads who will anticipate in the forum. We are convinced that everyone involved in the tourism industry will benefit from this exercise incorporating the applicable changes to their area of expertise.

All this will take place in an unique setting, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, with more than 50 years of tourism excellence.

Welcome and thank your attendance!

Dr. Juan Manuel Benítez del Rosario
Chairman of the Organizing Committee