MSC Cruises and the "Most Beautiful Villages of Spain" Association, with the support of the Canary Islands Government, today presented an initiative that combines tourism, culture, and sustainability. This initiative consists of a collection of exclusive excursions that will take passengers of the MSC Musica, the cruise line's ship based in the archipelago, from its ports of call to four of the "Most Beautiful Canary Villages," recognized by the Association for their beauty, authenticity, and heritage value: Garachico (Tenerife), Betancuria (Fuerteventura), Teguise (Lanzarote), and Tejeda (Gran Canaria).
This initiative kicks off in the 2025/2026 winter season in the Canary Islands with MSC Musica and aims to promote a responsible tourism model that highlights the cultural, scenic, gastronomic and social richness of the archipelago, boosting the economic development of its rural communities and fostering the preservation of its identity.
The agreement was officially signed at an institutional event held this morning at the headquarters of the Government of the Canary Islands in Madrid, which was attended by Francisco Mestre, president of the association “The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain”; Héctor Mateo Castañeyra, general director of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Tourism Quality of the Government of the Canary Islands; Fernando Pacheco, general director of MSC Cruises in Spain; and Juan Francisco Perera, regional president of the southern zone and mayor of Tejeda (Gran Canaria).
“With this initiative, we bring the soul of the Canary Islands closer to our travelers and reinforce our commitment to a more balanced, sustainable tourism model that is connected to the environment. The Canary Islands are undoubtedly a strategic destination for MSC Cruises, both for their tourism value and for their role in reducing the seasonality of the sector,” stated Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain.
A joint commitment with the Canary Islands
For years, the association "The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain" has been working closely with local councils to conserve, promote and revitalize unique locations, bringing travelers closer to places of incalculable cultural, heritage and tourist value, beyond their most popular sun and beach tourist areas.
“For our Association, this agreement represents a very important step: it is the first time that an international cruise line has included 'The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain' in its excursions. With this, we are bringing travelers closer to the most traditional and authentic Canary Islands and opening the door for other villages in our network, spread throughout Spain, to be integrated into similar initiatives in the near future, allowing MSC to share their rich heritage, culture, and landscapes with cruise passengers,” stated Francisco Mestre, president of the “Most Beautiful Villages of Spain” Association.
For his part, Héctor Mateo Castañeyra, Director General of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Tourism Quality of the Government of the Canary Islands, expressed his satisfaction and emphasized that “this agreement is not the result of mere chance; it is the result of the effort that these towns, along with many others in the Canary Islands, are making to beautify their surroundings, care for their heritage, and pay attention to the small details, which is, ultimately, what has led them to become part of the Association of Towns, and is what this cruise company has understood and valued.”
This project reinforces MSC Cruises' presence in the archipelago, consolidating the Canary Islands as one of the key destinations within the company's national and international itinerary. MSC Musicawill explore the Canary Islands with a unique approach, connecting the archipelago's main ports with towns recognized within the "Most Beautiful Villages of Spain" network through specially designed excursions. Passengers will be able to experience the essence of the archipelago in a more authentic and intimate way: savoring local cuisine, participating in artisan workshops, attending cultural demonstrations, and enjoying direct contact with local communities. Furthermore, MSC Cruises has already confirmed that it will continue its commitment to the Canary Islands in the upcoming 2026/2027 season, repeating its itinerary through the archipelago for the third consecutive year.
The “Most Beautiful Villages of the Canary Islands” proposal has been developed under responsible tourism criteria, prioritizing collaboration with local suppliers, reducing environmental impact and generating economic and social value in the participating communities.
The excursions will be guided by local experts, guaranteeing a more personalized experience, respectful of the environment and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the company.
This project not only promotes a new model of conscious tourism, but also reinforces the shared vision of the three participating entities: to value heritage, protect natural environments and promote the cultural identity of the Canary Islands as a symbol of pride and international projection.
In addition, MSC Cruises offers cruises with flights included for those from mainland Spain who wish for a more comfortable trip. Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao, Malaga, and Seville are the cities from which passengers can begin their journey to embark in the Canary Islands.
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