What should a true gay destination be in 2026? The Maspalomas case.

Maspalomas is well-known as the Gay destination nº1 in Europe. But a true gay destination in 2026 should be much more than just a place that hosts one or several Prides a year, offers free STI testing services, and boasts a wide range of hotels, cruising spots, and gay businesses.

You might ask, "So, what's missing?" Well, let's check what a true gay destination should look like in 2026.

Gay tourism represents 15% of total tourism in Gran Canaria, or even more; one in six tourists is gay and this community is almost entirely localized in Maspalomas. Therefore, we should appear, be taken into account, and be consulted in all measures, decisions, and communication campaigns adopted at the local level regarding tourism. But in reality, what is the situation?

1 – A true gay destination should have representatives, elected officials, or official leaders within the city hall and among the municipal councilors.

In the past, Maspalomas had Dario Jaen, but since his tragic passing in 2011, there has never been another representative of the gay community at city hall. As a result, all gay affairs and the lucrative gay tourism sector are managed by heterosexuals who exploit our community in their own way and for their own interests, far more than for ours.

2 – A true gay destination should offer official services and organizations, such as a Gay Chamber of Commerce or a Gay Tourist Office.

Many gay destinations worldwide have established Gay Chambers of Commerce and Gay Tourist Offices. There is a genuine community life that stems from the collective and serves the community. These institutions are, of course, funded by subsidies granted by the government or municipalities. In Maspalomas, none of this exists. The city only has one poor association (Glay), which is almost dying and deserted by its members; it is absolutely useless, known by no one, and never seen anywhere.

3 – A true gay destination should fight against the institutionalized homophobia of hotels and tourist establishments.

In Maspalomas, the vast majority of tourist establishments are heterosexual-oriented and practice institutionalized homophobia without facing the slightest resistance or protest. In these establishments, all gay information is banned, the presence of gay tourism is never illustrated visibly anywhere, and all official communication is always presented in the form of the heterosexual couple or the traditional family. The gay community is looked down upon and totally ignored, except once or twice a year during Pride. When will we see true gay visibility in the international hotel chains of this destination?

4 – A true gay destination should provide gay tourist information in its tourism offices and information centers.

In Maspalomas, all gay tourist information is banned from the tourist offices managed by the government (Cabildo de Gran Canaria) and the municipalities. There is not a single local gay guide or gay publication to be found, whether at the airport or in the cities, even though heterosexual information is available in abundance.

5 – A true gay destination should celebrate World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day on 10 August every year.

World LGBTQ+ Tourism Day is celebrated annually around the globe to draw attention to gay destinations and support their development. Its goal is to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of LGBTQ+ travel. Thousands of people and dozens of destinations take part in the celebrations, and the event grows in importance every year. Yet, in Maspalomas, nothing happens, and the city refuses year after year to acknowledge this date. In contrast, Maspalomas celebrates "Tourisfest" in September with great fanfare, which is the official day for mainstream tourism. This is pure and simple homophobia and institutional contempt.

6 – A true gay destination should include the gay community in the organization of events and festivals.

Maspalomas and the government of Gran Canaria organize and subsidize many cultural or social events throughout the year, such as music, wellness, personal development, or sports festivals, as well as tourist activities. Within the official programming of all these events, they find it normal to frequently include a special day or activity dedicated to youth, the elderly, families, fathers or mothers, etc. Almost every component of society is celebrated one after another. In contrast, gay people, as a distinct identity and a community in their own right, are never represented. When will we see a gay day or a gay circuit during the "Gran Canaria Walking Festival," for example?

7 – A true gay destination should offer excursions and tours specifically designed for the gay community.

Only a few years ago, there were tourist circuits in Maspalomas specifically designed and organized for gay people, such as the organization "Let me take you," which offered tours of the island, or the "Gay Jeep Safari," which provided 4x4 tours of the hinterland. These initiatives have all disappeared today due to a lack of institutional support and funding, and they are cruelly missed. This is not normal. As a result, gay tourists must all visit the island individually by car, risking increased pollution, road congestion, and environmental degradation. When will there be a real awareness of the needs of gay tourism and a return of organized excursions intended for the community?

Conclusion

In short, a true gay destination in 2026 must go beyond the "party image." It needs political representation, institutional support, new original initiatives, and genuine visibility within the local tourism infrastructure. Maspalomas has all the potential to lead the way, but it requires a real shift in how the community is treated by the authorities and by gay people themselves.

And now, what about you? Do you think we could do even more? In your opinion, what services or changes are missing to make it a truly inclusive gay destination for our community? Drop your suggestions and ideas in the comments below!