Mayor Welcomes Business Delegation from the Canary Islands

Published on September 05, 2025

On the heels of the Taiwanese delegation’s visit, momentum builds for San Antonio’s international business interest.

SAN ANTONIO (September 5, 2025) – Today Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones hosted the Honorable Oswaldo Betancort García, President of the Lanzarote Island Council and Member of Parliament of the Autonomous Government of the Canary Islands, along with other representatives from the hospitality and food and wine industry, to explore opportunities to promote two-way tourism and strengthen relations between the two regions’ small businesses.

“It is an honor to welcome President Oswaldo Betancort García on the Lazarote 360 Saborea Mission as we solidify our continued work together and identify new opportunities for business development,” said Mayor Jones.

“Whether it’s this visit with the Spanish delegation to discuss small business or hosting the Taiwanese delegation on manufacturing, San Antonio is continuing to showcase the opportunities we offer on a global scale, and we look forward to building our international relationships to foster a thriving San Antonio.”

Attendees from San Antonio included:

• The Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio
• Dr. Jenise Carroll, Chief of Staff to the Mayor
• Mr. Leo Castillo-Anguiano, Interim Councilmember, District 2
• Ms. Phyllis Viagran, Councilmember, District 3
• Ms. Shahrzad “Sherry” Dowlatshahi, Chief Diplomacy and Protocol Officer | Head of Global Engagement Division

Attendees from Lanzarote  included:

• The Honorable Oswaldo Betancort, President of Lanzarote, Canary Islands
• Ms. María Ascensión Toledo, Councilmember (Education Portfolio), Lanzarote Island Council
• Mr. Steve Chiscano, Honorary Consul of Spain in San Antonio 
• Mr. Jose Valle Martinez, President, Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa
• Mr. Hector Fernández Manchado, CEO, Tourism Board and the Foreign Promotion Society of Lanzarote
• Mr. Ángel Vázquez Álvarez, CEO, Centres de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote
• Mr. Marcos Cohen Simancas, Founder and Managing Partner, Cumbre 8 Consulting
• Mr. Luis Alvarado Martinez, Director of International Affairs