The centenary of Enrique Talg Wyss

This Saturday, we celebrate the centenary of the birth of Enrique Talg Wyss, a visionary who played a pivotal role in the history of tourism on Tenerife. Born on 26 October 1924 in Vigo, Enrique always considered himself a true resident of Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz, where he forged his career in the hotel industry.

Professional Career: A Path of Innovation

Enrique Talg’s career spanned more than five decades of tireless work and an international journey that enriched his vision of tourism. His first steps in the hospitality industry began as an apprentice at the Gran Hotel Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz between 1944 and 1947. Over the years, he held various roles in prestigious hotels across Europe, including the Gran Hotel in Stockholm (1951, chef) and the Grand Hotel et Des Alpes in Montreux (1954, head of reception). His international career also took him to the Suvretta House in St. Moritz (1954, head of supplies) and the Restaurant Hotel Reina Cristina in Algeciras (1956, director). In London, he worked at the Hatchetts restaurant, and in 1953, he oversaw the inauguration of the Lido Metropole in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Finally, after several positions as receptionist and deputy director at the Hotel Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz, in 1958, he planned and built the Hotel Tigaiga together with his father (Enrique Talg Schulz), becoming its director and owner.

In 1964, Enrique Talg married Dr. Gisela Reineke, with whom he shared his life and his passion for the hotel and tourism. Together, they had three children: Ursula, Irene and Enrique, who have followed in their father’s footsteps and now manage the Hotel Tigaiga. Family has always been at the heart of his legacy, and their daily presence was key to the hotel’s growth and success.

Leader in Environmental Management and Sustainable Tourism

From the construction and opening of the Hotel Tigaiga in 1959, Enrique Talg Wyss left his personal mark on hospitality and environmental management, turning his hotel into one of the most awarded hotels in the world, according to TUI’s rankings. Among the many innovations he introduced at the hotel was the installation of the first telex in Puerto de la Cruz, which greatly modernised international communication at the time. Additionally, in 1982, Talg pioneered the implementation of the first solar energy system in the Canary Islands, a clear reflection of his commitment to sustainability.

Traditional Dances on Sundays at the Tigaiga

Over the years, the Hotel Tigaiga has cultivated an extremely loyal clientele, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and personalised service that Don Enrique and his team consistently provided. Some of the most loyal guests made the Tigaiga their home away from home, with some having stayed over 500 nights or visited the hotel more than 55 times. This loyalty reflects the hotel’s commitment to quality, which has led generations of tourists to return year after year to Puerto de la Cruz for their holidays.

A unique part of the Hotel Tigaiga’s charm lies in its spectacular subtropical gardens, meticulously designed and cared for by his wife, Dr. Gisela Reineke. Today, these gardens host plants from around the world, creating a natural environment that surrounds the hotel and offers guests an oasis of tranquillity. Doña Gisela not only beautified the hotel, but her work also embodied the family’s philosophy of integrating nature into the hospitality experience, offering guests a carefully maintained and unique environment. For decades, she was a key figure in providing personalised care for the guests, ensuring that each one felt at home.

Enrique Talg Wyss and His Team

Enrique Talg deeply valued his team, considering them an essential part of the hotel’s success. Among his closest collaborators was Luis Pérez, who worked at the Hotel Tigaiga throughout his entire professional life and retired as head of reception. Alongside Luis, key figures such as Camejo at the Tamaimo bar, Don Cándido as maître d’, Don Pedro at the Tinguaro, Don Carmelo in the kitchen, and Don Santiago and Don Emilio in administration, among others, contributed to the hotel’s success with their dedication and hard work. They made the Tigaiga a special place for its guests, many of whom remain loyal to this day.

A Man Committed to His Community

In addition to managing the Hotel Tigaiga, Enrique Talg Wyss played key roles in the development of tourism on Tenerife and was an active promoter of important tourism institutions. He was a founding member and part of the board of directors of the CIT (Tourism Initiatives Centre) in Puerto de la Cruz, Skal Club of Tenerife, and Club 13, and was involved with the Lions Club. He was also a founding member of the Hogar Santa Rita, a member of the Institute of Hispanic Studies, and a member of the Red Cross in Puerto de la Cruz. He collaborated with the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tourism Board, was a founding member and part of the board of directors of ASHOTEL, and co-founded ZONTUR. For many years, he represented ASHOTEL on the board of the Teide National Park and was part of the committee for the Tourism Excellence Plan of the Orotava Valley and the Hotel Quality Plan of Spain. In 1995, his Hotel Tigaiga was selected by the ICTE (Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality) to implement the first hotel quality standards.

Recognitions

Throughout his career, Don Enrique received numerous awards recognising his work. In 1961, he was awarded the Prize for a more beautiful, clean, cheerful and optimistic Tenerife by the Tenerife Island Council and the Island Tourism Board. In 1980, he was honoured with the Gold Star as Hotel Director of the Year by the Spanish Association of Hotel Directors (AEDH) and HUSA. In 1984, the Centre for Tourism Initiatives of Puerto de la Cruz awarded him the Gold Medal for his work on Tenerife’s hiking trails. In 1985, he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Government of the Canary Islands during the celebration of World Tourism Day. In 1994, he received the Excellence Award at the IV International Tourism Congress. After his passing in September 2006, Enrique Talg was posthumously honoured with the Tenerife Tourism Award 2007 (Tenerife Island Council), in recognition of his dedication and excellence as an exemplary hotelier and businessman, a pioneer in environmental quality, customer care, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

A Lasting Legacy

The sudden death of Enrique Talg on 27 September 2006 (World Tourism Day), while he was preparing to receive another award for environmental management at the Hotel Tigaiga, left a void in Tenerife’s tourism community.

To close this article, we, as his children, would like to express our deepest gratitude to our father, Enrique Talg Wyss. He left us an invaluable legacy, not only at the Hotel Tigaiga but also in the hearts of those who knew him. His dedication to improving and preserving Tenerife, always respecting the environment and putting people first, inspires us to continue following in his footsteps. We remember you with love, and we are committed to continuing to care for and develop what you loved so dearly. Happy centenary!