This morning, June 10th, Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, attended the inauguration of a new street, Calle Fernando López Arvelo, named for the honorary president of the Fedola Group, one of the leading Costa Adeje companies with numerous luxury hotels (Isabel, Fañabe, Gran Costa Adeje and Victoria) in the area, and eight companies working in the restaurant, wellness and energy efficiency sectors.
The mayor pointed out, “The main wealth and current success of our destination, Costa Adeje, is the talent of the people who work here, and we have seen people in the public and private sector working hand in hand, taking good advantage of that talent, allowing us to build a better present and leave a positive footprint for the future. The commitment of Fernando and his family have been a part of Costa Adeje almost from the start. They are a prime example of effort, work, and non-stop dedication, and indeed we are proud to have them in this borough”.
Rodríguez Fraga underlined the important part tourism played during the pandemic and the vital role of those who work in the sector. “Everyone has been playing a part, workers, businesses, public administrations, we have done what we had to do, adapting to the new reality and looking for alternatives which will improve our principal economic motor”.
Fernando López Arvelo expressed his gratitude for the honour of having a street named after him adding, “the Fedola group has been part of the growth and progress of Adeje, we have four hotels, 4,000 beds and employ 1,100 people, the main source of the wealth of our companies, and we have seen the destination grow and I am certain of one thing – that if I was born again tomorrow I would be investing in Costa Adeje because it is part of who we are”.
Attending the event to celebrate the naming of the street was Cabildo president Pedro Martín, representatives of the security forces, Cit Sur (the tourism initiative body), Ashotel (the provincial hotel association), representatives of Adeje council, family members and representatives of the tourism, cultural and social sectors.
Fernando López Arvelo was born on August 2 1938 in Tacaronte, into family of limited means, and had to leave school early to work with his father in the fields. However his entrepreneurship gene manifested itself when he was 15 and he stated to sell agricultural products, building the business over a number of years, with his brother Domingo, and using donkeys as their main method of transporting produce. Thus the Grupo Fedola was born.
The family character of the group has remained an important element of the company over 6 decades, as the company expanded, with family members taking responsibility in different areas of the group. Today Fernando López has extended the concept of family to include his many staff, now numbering over 1,100.
Over the years he and the company have won many accolades, both for their contribution to tourism and to business growth, including a medal for excellence from the Canarian Government in 2009.
