Santa Cruz highlights the value of its markets at the II Meeting of Traditional Markets

The event, which ends this afternoon and brings together different representatives of regional and national markets, can be followed on the web at
www.degustasantacruz.com
.

Santa Cruz hosts today the second edition of the Meeting of Traditional Markets of the Canary Islands, which brings together in the Auditorium representatives of about twenty regional and national markets, as well as public entities. Thus, the day was inaugurated by the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez; the first deputy mayor and councilman of Public Services, Guillermo Díaz Guerra; the director general of Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands, David Mille, and the president of the Market Nuestra Señora de África, Estefanía Hernández.

The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, explained that “in the Canary Islands and in Santa Cruz we are very clear about the role of the markets and the role of our market, they are exponents of our identity and focus of attraction of visitors”, and stressed that “it is necessary to create synergies to continue in the development of markets as places of interest”.

In this regard, Bermúdez reported that “these are facilities that will participate in the economic recovery of cities, so we must turn these spaces into places of activity,” and stressed that “the market is a reference of identity and our products, but it is also a sentimental reference, so we must not lose that essence, although we must work to adapt to the digital transformation of these times.”

“The markets must face the challenge of digital transformation,” said the mayor, and stressed that “this is an exciting challenge, but it will be achieved, because we believe in the markets and we must support them, because the economic consequences of the pandemic will only be overcome with the effort and work of all.

For his part, Guillermo Díaz Guerra stressed that “traditional markets have always been important for cities” and remarked that “these spaces have not remained in the past, but have served to move societies forward”. “Today we can shop online at the markets, and also taste gourmet products, so they have adapted to the times, looking for ways to combine the traditional with the current.”

For the Director General of Trade and Consumer Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands, David Mille, “markets are one of the few infrastructures that combine history, trade, and focus on tourist attraction”, and reported that “from the Government of the Canary Islands we have created a brand to promote traditional markets, and there are many challenges and work ahead, such as digitization”. Mille also highlighted the collaboration that is being carried out between the City Council of Santa Cruz and his area “for the implementation of various actions and for which the regional entity has contributed 60,000 euros”.

Similarly, the president of the Market Our Lady of Africa, Estefania Hernandez, remarked that “traditional markets are present and future, and initiatives like this should serve to put them in value,” and concluded that “I hope that this second edition of the Meeting of Traditional Markets maintain the same level of the first edition, and that allowed us to form the confederation of traditional markets nationwide.

After the institutional opening, the CEO of the Development Society, Alfonso Cabello, gave the first presentation, in which he explained that “traditional markets are spaces that generate tourism products”. The mayor stressed during his presentation that “we must not lose the sustainability, local identity, quality and safety and authentic experiences that characterize traditional markets, and we must value the generation of wealth that markets offer to the cities where they are located”.

The Second Meeting of Traditional Markets, which can be followed live on the web www.degustasantacruz.com and social networks of the Development Society, includes nearly a dozen presentations and two workshops in the afternoon. The program of activities will continue on Friday, when the group of participants who have traveled from other islands and the mainland will visit the Casa del Carnaval and the Mercado Nuestra Señora de África.

This action, which is part of the project called “Revitalization of consumption, trade and Traditional Markets”, is organized by the Development Society of Santa Cruz and the Market Nuestra Señora de África and is funded by the Directorate General of Trade and Consumption of the Government of the Canary Islands.