Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of holiday homes in El Hierro has seen a remarkable threefold increase. In 2019, there were 183 homes offering 588 beds, but the current figures stand at 580 homes providing a total of 1,749 accommodation places. This information was unveiled by Davinia Suárez, the Island Council’s Councillor for Tourism, during an event commemorating ‘World Tourism Day’.
El Hierro, at present, boasts a total of 3,200 accommodation places spread across 680 establishments, along with 91 dining establishments, including 45 restaurants and 46 bars and cafés, distributed among the island’s three municipalities. The month of August alone witnessed 32,514 passengers arriving by air and 25,134 by sea.
Alpidio Armas, the president of the Island Council, emphasized that tourism has become a driving force behind the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the island, significantly contributing to the overall economy. He stressed the importance of recognizing tourism’s value and urged both public and private entities to unite in striving for excellence.
Armas acknowledged the substantial growth in tourism on El Hierro in recent years but noted that there is still much work to be done. He urged collaboration from all stakeholders to further enhance the island’s international reputation as a sustainable destination, largely achieved through initiatives like the Gorona del Viento project, which promotes renewable energy.
The president advocated for local institutions and business representatives to work in tandem to solidify El Hierro’s image as a “unique, differentiated, safe, and high-quality destination, the island with a soul.”
He emphasized that every aspect plays a role in successfully establishing a destination, including accommodations, gastronomy, transportation, water and waste management, road safety, public infrastructure, and healthcare quality.
EL HIERRO: MORE AIR TRAFFIC ROUTES WITH GRAN CANARIA
Regarding transportation, Armas mentioned ongoing efforts to improve maritime services and increase daily frequencies starting from December 31st. There is a demand for two daily connections with Gran Canaria, one with La Palma, and increased island connectivity with Tenerife, particularly on weekends. Plans are underway to introduce a Canary Islands destination package with a three-island circuit at a special price, in addition to the existing point-to-point connections.
The president also highlighted the expansion and enhancement of the island’s network of hiking trails, including the creation of a new long-distance trail connecting the northern area with the Valle del Golfo, with a significant budget allocation.
Furthermore, El Hierro is gearing up to host the ‘1st Island Water Forum’ next month, aimed at promoting collaborative action to address issues related to water supply networks, a resource crucial for the tourism sector and a global challenge for administrations worldwide in the coming years.
Lastly, during the current legislative period, El Hierro aims to implement a photovoltaic solar energy project, pushing the island closer to achieving 100% renewable energy supply, building on the 60% already achieved with the Gorona del Viento hydro-wind power station.
