Canary Islands are not only renowned for their idyllic beaches and year-round climate. This Atlantic archipelago boasts an exceptional cultural and natural heritage that makes it a unique MICE destination, combining business meetings with unique experiences in UNESCO World Heritage sites.
At a time when companies are looking for destinations that add value to their corporate events, the Canary Islands emerge as an option that transcends the conventional. The combination of modern infrastructure for conferences and conventions with the possibility of immersing oneself in ancient volcanic landscapes, prehistoric forests and perfectly preserved colonial cities creates the ideal setting for memorable business events.
What does it mean to be a World Heritage Site?
When UNESCO awards the title of World Heritage Site, it not only recognises the exceptional universal value of a place, but also certifies that it represents a masterpiece of human creative genius or a unique testimony to the evolution of our planet. This distinction implies a shared responsibility: to preserve these treasures for future generations while allowing them to be enjoyed responsibly in the present.
For the MICE sector, these spaces represent much more than just tourist destinations. They are settings that inspire creativity, encourage reflection and provide a unique context for networking and developing business relationships. The magic of holding a meeting in a place with centuries of history or in a unique natural environment generates an emotional impact that lasts long after the event itself.
In the case of the Canary Islands, this distinction is particularly relevant as it has four World Heritage Sites and one item of Intangible Cultural Heritage, making the archipelago one of the Spanish territories with the highest density of UNESCO recognitions per square kilometre.
Unique corners of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are home to a surprising diversity of heritage, ranging from ancient forests to lunar volcanic landscapes, as well as colonial cities that preserve the spirit of centuries past. Each of these areas offers unique possibilities for MICE tourism, allowing you to combine work sessions with unforgettable cultural and natural experiences.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna: Living history in Tenerife
The former capital of Tenerife is the first example of an unfortified colonial city, an urban model that would later be exported to the Americas. Its cobbled streets and perfectly preserved historic buildings create a unique atmosphere for corporate events seeking distinction and elegance.
The city offers unique venues such as the Paraninfo of the University of La Laguna, palaces converted into convention centres and historic courtyards that can host outdoor cocktail parties and presentations. Its proximity to Tenerife North Airport (just 10 minutes away) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife facilitates the logistics of any MICE event.
For event organisers, La Laguna allows you to create programmes that combine business meetings in historic venues with dramatised guided tours, Canarian wine tastings in centuries-old wineries or team-building activities based on solving historical puzzles in the streets of the city.
Teide National Park: Meetings in the heights
Teide is not only the highest peak in Spain at 3,715 metres above sea level; it is also a natural laboratory that allows us to understand the volcanic processes that shaped our planet. This lunar landscape, where NASA has trained astronauts, offers an unrivalled setting for corporate events seeking inspiration and perspective.
MICE Venues Around Mount Teide
Parador de Las Cañadas
Located at 2,100 meters above sea level, this venue offers rooms with volcano views and a capacity for up to 150 guests.
Teide Observatory
Exclusive corporate group visits including astrophysics talks in a unique scientific setting.
Teide Cable Car
Private experiences up to 3,555 meters with high-altitude catering options available.
Companies can organise everything from product presentations with the volcano as a backdrop to team-building activities that include adapted hiking trails, night-time stargazing or mindfulness sessions at dawn. The uniqueness of the setting guarantees that any event held here will remain etched in the memory of participants.
Garajonay National Park: The enchanted forest of La Gomera
Imagine holding a business strategy meeting surrounded by a forest that has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. Garajonay National Park, on La Gomera, preserves one of the best examples of laurel forest on the planet, an ecosystem that disappeared from the European continent millions of years ago due to climate change.
This magical environment, where the fog creates an almost mystical atmosphere, is ideal for corporate retreats focused on creativity, innovation and sustainability. The rural hotels in the area offer intimate spaces for small team meetings, while the park’s Visitor Centre can host presentations and conferences for larger groups.
Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria
This cultural landscape, declared a World Heritage Site in 2019, is a unique testament to pre-Hispanic Canarian culture. The site includes temples, artificial caves and astronomical markers that reveal the ancient Canarians’ profound knowledge of the cosmos.
For the MICE sector, this space offers the opportunity to organise events that combine history, archaeology and astronomy. Specialised guided tours can be complemented with workshops on archaeoastronomy, night sky observation sessions or activities that explore the connection between ancient cultures and modern business challenges.
Silbo Gomero: Ancestral communication for modern companies
Although it is not a physical place, Silbo Gomero deserves special mention as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This whistled language, traditionally used in La Gomera to communicate across ravines and mountains, represents a unique form of human communication that has survived for centuries.
Companies can incorporate introductory workshops on Silbo Gomero as a team-building activity, exploring concepts of effective communication, adaptation to the environment and teamwork. The experience of learning the basics of this unique language creates special bonds between participants and offers valuable lessons on the importance of clear and direct communication in the business environment.
MICE infrastructure in the Canary Islands
Beyond its UNESCO heritage, the Canary Islands boast a first-class MICE infrastructure that facilitates the organisation of events of any size. The archipelago’s main convention centres have been constantly modernised to adapt to the needs of 21st-century business tourism.
Tenerife leads the way with the Tenerife Adán Martín Auditorium, an architectural masterpiece by Santiago Calatrava that can accommodate up to 1,600 people, and the Tenerife Exhibition Centre, with more than 40,000 m² of exhibition space. Gran Canaria is not far behind with the Palacio de Congresos de Canarias – Auditorio Alfredo Kraus and ExpoMeloneras, while Lanzarote and Fuerteventura offer more intimate but equally sophisticated options.
Air connectivity is another strong point of the archipelago. With eight airports and direct connections to major European cities, accessibility is guaranteed. In addition, competition between airlines keeps prices competitive throughout the year, making it easier to plan event budgets.
Discover the Canary Islands beyond the beach
The true unique selling point of the Canary Islands as a MICE destination lies in its ability to offer experiences that transcend the typical corporate event. The combination of world heritage, exceptional nature and a lively, authentic culture allows for the creation of programmes that have a positive impact on team motivation, creativity and cohesion.
Unique MICE Experiences in the Canary Islands
Volcanic Dinners
Gastronomy over volcanic soil in Lanzarote
Corporate Stargazing
Astronomical observation in La Palma
Forest Bathing
A full-sensory immersion in Garajonay
Historic Theatre
Events in centuries-old theatres of La Laguna
Complementary activity programmes can range from wine tours of the La Geria wineries in Lanzarote, cultivated on volcanic ash, to traditional Canarian pottery workshops, as well as gastronomic experiences with Michelin-starred chefs who reinterpret the archipelago’s traditional cuisine.
Sustainability and environmental commitment
Sustainability and environmental commitment
In an era where sustainability is essential for businesses, the Canary Islands offer the opportunity to organise events aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The archipelago has made a strong commitment to renewable energy, with islands such as El Hierro aspiring to be 100% energy sustainable.
The archipelago’s hotels and MICE venues have implemented sustainability policies that include reducing plastic consumption, using local and seasonal products in their catering services, and offsetting their carbon footprint. In addition, many offer the possibility of participating in corporate social responsibility programmes, such as reforestation of areas affected by fires or cleaning beaches and seabeds.
Gastronomy: The secret ingredient of Canarian MICE
Canarian gastronomy, with its African, American and European influences, adds unique value to any MICE event. Local products such as gofio, artisan cheeses, Canarian bananas and volcanic wines with designation of origin allow for the creation of unique culinary experiences that reinforce the character of the destination.
Events can incorporate show cooking with local chefs, pairings of Canarian wines with local products, or even traditional cooking workshops as a team-building activity. The trend towards sustainable, locally sourced gastronomy finds a perfect ally in the Canary Islands, with their diverse, high-quality local production.
Planning and logistics: Keys to success
Organising a MICE event in the Canary Islands requires consideration of certain specific logistical aspects. Insularity, far from being an obstacle, can become an advantage by creating a more intimate and controlled environment for events. The Convention Bureaus on each island offer free support in planning, facilitating contacts with local suppliers and advising on the best options depending on the type of event.
It is advisable to plan well in advance, especially if you wish to combine the main event with visits to World Heritage sites, as some require special permits or have capacity limitations to preserve their integrity. The ideal season for MICE events in the Canary Islands is practically all year round, although the months from October to May tend to offer more competitive rates and lower tourist occupancy.
The future of MICE in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are poised to become one of Europe’s leading MICE destinations in the coming years. The unique combination of world heritage, modern infrastructure, international connectivity and a firm commitment to sustainability creates the perfect conditions for attracting high value-added corporate events.
Digitalisation and adaptation to hybrid events, accelerated by recent events, has found a receptive territory in the Canary Islands, with venues equipped with the latest technology and professionals trained in the latest trends in the sector. The archipelago offers more than just sun and beaches; it offers transformative experiences that turn every event into an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
For companies looking for MICE destinations that make a difference, inspire their teams and leave a positive mark on both participants and the region, the Canary Islands emerge as an option that combines the best of several worlds: the efficiency and professionalism of northern Europe with the warmth and creativity of the south, respect for tradition with a commitment to innovation, and natural beauty with sustainable development.
The Canary Islands’ World Heritage sites are not only exceptional venues for events; they are catalysts for experiences that transform ordinary meetings into extraordinary moments, turning every MICE event into an investment in the human and cultural capital of organisations. In a business world that increasingly values authentic and meaningful experiences, the Canary Islands offer exactly that: authenticity, meaning and the guarantee that every event will be as unique as the islands that host it.
