Approximately fifty Canarian activists protested outside the Spanish Congress in Madrid, demanding a shift in the tourism model. Organized by the platform ‘Canarias se Agota,’ the demonstration coincided with a vote on a non-binding proposal to halt the construction of over 400 luxury villas in Puertito de Adeje, which was ultimately rejected. Protesters called for environmental conservation, the implementation of an ecotax, a tourism moratorium, and regulation of foreign property purchases.
Canarian activists demand change in tourism model outside Spanish Congress
Canarian activists demand change in tourism model outside Spanish Congress
Activistas canarios reclaman el cambio de modelo turístico frente al Congreso
Aproximadamente cincuenta activistas canarios protestaron frente al Congreso de los Diputados en Madrid, exigiendo un cambio en el modelo turístico. Organizada por la plataforma ‘Canarias se Agota,’ la manifestación coincidió con la votación de una proposición no de ley para paralizar la construcción de más de 400 villas de lujo en Puertito de Adeje, que finalmente fue rechazada. Los manifestantes solicitaron la conservación del medio ambiente, la implementación de una ecotasa, una moratoria turística y la regulación de la compra de propiedades por parte de extranjeros.
Political comment – Blanco expresses his rejection of expanding Corralejo’s dock
“The mayor of La Oliva and spokesperson for the Canary Coalition (CC), Isaí Blanco, has conveyed to the Government of the Canary Islands the “total rejection” of his political group to the expansion of the Corralejo dock through a project that he has labelled a “mega-construction”.
Infographic of the Corralejo dock extension project (Diario de Fuerteventura)
Water Scarcity – Tenerife introduces measures to address the water emergency
“The signing of the decree that formalizes the water emergency on the island begins the process to address the 75 measures provided for in the technical document of the island water council. These include ten emergency hydraulic works, desalination plants and treatment plants. In the short term, it will be possible to increase the flow of irrigation water by 27,000 cubic meters per day. This declaration will last six months and can be extended for another six months.”
Situation of the Valle Molina reservoir in Tenerife, which appears empty due to the drought (CARSTEN W. LAURITSEN)
Water Scarcity – Drago Tenerife comments that water emergency measures are not effective
Drago Tenerife spokesperson Carmen Peña explains, “one of the most serious issues that we have detected is the lack of will when it comes to prioritizing the consumption of the resident population over tourist use…since there are no mechanisms to make a real differentiation between urban use and tourist use”
Valle Molina reservoir in Tenerife (La Laguna Ahora)
Ecological damage – 2 protected species found near Tenerife Motor circuit
Three renowned biologists have recently demonstrated the presence of Heniaria canariensis and Plantago asphodeloides, two protected Canarian species, within the area where the Tenerife Motor Circuit is planned. Plantago asphodeliodes , a type of herb commonly known as fine plantain or mouse’s tail, and Herniaria canariensis , a small shrub commonly named Tenerife yarrow.
“The findings have been detailed in a document submitted as an expert report to the appeals of the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) against the Circuito del Motor, according to sources consulted.”
“The scientists’ work dates back to March and April 2023. During those weeks, in which they explored both the territorial area of influence of the project and its immediate surroundings, they captured more than 90 species of vascular flora through surveys, many of them endemic to Macaronesia, the Canary Islands or the island of Tenerife.”
Heniaria canariensis by Gerardo García Casanova
Tourists – Recent protests do not deter tourists
“Tourists want to keep coming to the Canary Islands. The demand for holidays in the archipelago has not only been maintained for the summer, but even more guests are expected than last year. Neither the protests against the overcrowding of tourism and the confrontation of the current model, nor the significant rise in prices have intimidated visitors and bookings are up by 14% compared to the same dates in 2023. In this way, tourism seems to have no ceiling and everything points to 2024 becoming another record year for the tourism industry if the trend continues.”
El Dia (2024)
