Promote a direct flight between San Antonio, Texas and the Canary Islands
Ron Nirenberg, mayor of San Antonio, recently visited the Canary Islands with the aim of promoting new collaborations between the two sister nations.
On March 27, 1730, fifteen Canarian families from Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, La Palma, and Tenerife boarded the ship Nuestra Señora de la Trinidad y del Rosario, to set sail for the United States. On June 9, 1731, after a journey fraught with danger, they arrived in San Antonio, Texas, where the Franciscan friars had founded a mission that would go down in history as the Alamo fort. The island settlers divided up the land and began to sow seeds they had brought from the Canary Islands, contributing with their labor to the birth of this American city, whose first mayor was a Lanzarote native. As this anniversary approaches its 300th anniversary, both regions continue to strengthen emotional and institutional ties, as evidenced by the recent visit of the Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg, to the Canary Islands with the aim of promoting new collaborations between the two sister nations.
Is this your first official visit to the Canary Islands? What were the main objectives of this institutional mission?
“I had never been to Spain, so I hadn’t visited the Canary Islands until now. The mission aimed to visit our sister cities, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, for 42 years, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, for 50 years. Furthermore, we have established a new sisterhood with the Lanzarote Island Council to strengthen existing relations with this island and create future ones. The main intention was to connect with our historical roots and celebrate an important part of our historical and cultural heritage. It was also intended to open the door to future opportunities for exchange, especially in the business and commercial spheres, between both regions.”
How will collaboration between San Antonio and the Canary Islands materialize in areas such as tourism and culture?
“First, we have agreed on the need to collaborate with airlines on both sides to advance discussions about a future direct flight between San Antonio and Madrid with a connection to the Canary Islands. Second, several cultural projects are underway in San Antonio that will provide an opportunity to tell the story of the islands, such as the creation of a gallery in a future museum to be built in the El Álamo complex. Another is the redesign of our main square, known as Plaza de las Islas Canarias, where work is being done to include Canarian elements in the design through commemorative sculptures. Third, over the last year, we have worked with Lanzarote to strengthen commercial ties and promote bilateral trade, as the island’s authorities and business leaders are interested in attracting tourism from San Antonio, in addition to introducing gastronomic and wine products to our region.”
“The Canary Islands are a major tourist destination in Europe. Does San Antonio plan to leverage this relationship to promote its own international tourism?
“We need to raise awareness and interest on both sides, leveraging the wonderful history of the Canarians who departed in 1730 and arrived in San Antonio, leaving a true legacy. Then, we must collaborate with airlines to find ways to facilitate travel between both sides. We focused part of our visit to the town councils on these discussions, as we would love to see a direct flight from San Antonio to Madrid with a connection to the islands, and even a direct flight to one of the islands. If we can facilitate the arrival of our residents, I’m sure we will contribute to creating more opportunities to promote tourism in both directions.”
Have more areas of cooperation or exchange been addressed between San Antonio and the Islands in areas such as culture or the arts?
“There are always opportunities for collaboration, and we have a very active Arts and Culture Department that is open to it. In fact, they are planning to participate in the Craft Fair to be held in September in Lanzarote, where four San Antonio artisans will be presenting. We also have other non-profit organizations in our city that welcome these exchange opportunities. San Antonio has been declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, so there are also opportunities for collaboration in the culinary field with chef exchanges through the municipal department of the World Heritage Office.”
“Given the historical connection between San Antonio, Texas, and the Islands, how could these ties be further strengthened?
“I think the current projects we have will help us strengthen those ties.” Through cultural and educational initiatives, we can raise awareness among both parties about the rich history of the Canary Islands, a resilient and courageous people who migrated far and wide, overcoming challenges and obstacles to ultimately settle and lay the foundations of what we know today as San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the United States and the fastest-growing in the country.”
“One of the major projects you are working on focuses on the expansion of the Alamo Museum. What does this project entail?
“San Antonio is constantly working to enhance its tourist attractions and make the city more attractive. The Alamo Plan, currently underway, is perhaps the largest such effort. The city of San Antonio, Texas, and private donors have joined forces on a $500 million project to convert the Alamo complex into a historic site of remembrance, a sanctuary-like structure. The future project, expected to be underway by 2030, will greatly enrich the visit to the Alamo, with $180 million allocated for the construction of the new museum. The historic San Antonio missions, built by Spanish settlers, are already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only ones in Texas.
Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas. / Sergio Méndez
-In the future expansion of the Alamo, a section is planned for the Canary Islands. What’s the idea?
“The Canary Islands section is currently part of the Ralston Family Collections Center, which includes hundreds of artifacts used by early Spanish settlers. These include blacksmithing tools, livestock implements, and kitchen utensils. However, the Alamo Museum project is currently in the design phase, led by the Spanish company Acciona, and will feature a large gallery dedicated to Spain and the Canary Islands. We are working with the Canary Islands Government and the various city councils and island councils on a strategic partnership to find a representative selection of pieces that can be permanently displayed in the future museum, which is expected to attract more than two million visitors a year and learn about the important history of the Canarian people in the birth of San Antonio.”
-In addition to institutional support, will the Association of Canarian Descendants be involved in the design of this special section in the future museum?
“The Honorary Consul of Spain in San Antonio, Steve Chiscano, son of the famous Canarian Alfonso Chiscano, is directly involved in the project and has helped establish important links between the Álamo Trust, the entity that manages the Álamo, and the Canary Islands. The Association of Canarian Descendants shares their stories with us, and there are people who can compile them, along with what they learn directly from different sources in the Canary Islands, to hopefully create the entire content of this future museum.”
-Currently, how many Canarians reside in San Antonio, and what role do they play in the city?
“It is estimated that 5,000 Canarian descendants live in San Antonio. However, we believe the number is much higher, as there is a process for residents to verify their lineage and trace their ancestors back to the original families who lived in the city.” It’s worth noting, however, that the influence of the Canary Islands over time has been fundamental. They founded the first civil government in our region, and all of San Antonio’s mayors between 1731 and 1836 were Canarians or descendants of Canarians. Numerous prominent families with Canarian roots have been among the outstanding individuals who have promoted successful businesses that today form the foundation of our local economy.
Are there opportunities for cooperation between San Antonio and the Islands in areas such as culture or gastronomy?
“There are always opportunities for collaboration, and we have a very active Arts and Culture Department. In fact, they plan to participate in the Craft Fair to be held in September in Lanzarote, where four artisans from San Antonio will be presenting. We have other non-profit organizations in our city that welcome these opportunities for exchange. Likewise, the culinary side of our city has flourished greatly in recent years.” At the beginning of my term as mayor, San Antonio became a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and is now one of only two cities in the United States to achieve this recognition. This also opens up avenues for collaboration with the Canary Islands in the culinary field, through chef exchanges promoted by the municipal department of the World Heritage Office.
Is there a possibility of promoting business collaboration between San Antonio and the Canary Islands?
“I think efforts have been made in the past to foster these ties. Currently, the Lanzarote City Council is taking concrete actions to strengthen economic ties and is working with specific groups in San Antonio. They have come to our city on trade missions to promote its food, wine, and tourism industries. This was also done a few years ago when the Tenerife City Council brought a trade mission to the city to promote the island’s food and wine products. Some Canarian products are now available in Texas, which is a sign that this is a path to continue working together.”
What legacy would you like to leave as mayor of San Antonio?
“This will be my last international trip as mayor, and my wife and son have accompanied me on it. When I ran for office in 2013 to lead San Antonio, I did so with the intention of making it a city where my son Jonah would want to work and live.” I want to ensure that this region has extensive and exciting economic opportunities for people to develop rewarding careers. Another important aspect is helping to provide quality-of-life services that attract people and motivate them to stay. During my tenure, we have launched a major airport expansion, begun construction on a modern public transportation system with ART lines, and expanded a network of walking and biking trails throughout the city, known as the Emerald Necklace. We have also invested in the most ambitious municipal workforce development program in the United States and developed an affordable housing program that has become a national model. San Antonio has also undergone an urban transformation, with pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes to provide services that improve the lives of its citizens.
How do you view relations between the United States and Europe in the wake of Donald Trump’s policies?
“I am optimistic and confident that the United States and Europe will remain close trading partners and allies despite the current turbulence we are experiencing. Every relationship has its challenges, but a large portion of Americans remain committed to strengthening their ties with Europe. Maintaining strong international ties with our allies is an absolute necessity.”
An official visit filled with emotion, collaboration, and history
Ron Nirenberg, of Asian descent and the grandson of Eastern European immigrants, has succeeded since 2013, when he was elected mayor of San Antonio, Texas, in transforming the city into one of the fastest-growing in the country, ranking as the seventh largest city in the United States. Through his experiences, the American mayor has promoted civic participation and the values of freedom, justice, and equality among its residents, the majority of whom are of Canarian descent.
The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, received an official visit from this delegation from the sister city last Wednesday, led by Nirenberg. The mayor of San Antonio de Texas recalled “the historical importance of the first people from Tenerife and Chicharrero who embarked on a true adventure by crossing the Atlantic to found the city. We Santa Cruz residents are very proud to have contributed to the prosperity of such an important place as San Antonio de Texas, where its first mayors had a lot to do with the hope and enthusiasm of this people.”
For the original see: https://diariodeavisos.elespanol.com/2025/03/conversaciones-vuelo-san-antonio-texas-canarias