This week, Rosa Dávila, the president of the Council of Tenerife, proposed a new tax specifically aimed at tourists who visit the island’s protected natural areas. This tax would be dedicated entirely to the conservation and maintenance of these spaces.
Speaking to journalists following a visit to the water treatment plant in Guía de Isora, Dávila highlighted the tax as a means to underscore the value of Tenerife’s natural environments and enhance tourist awareness of these precious resources.
Lope Afonso, vice-president and councillor for Tourism, echoed this sentiment, noting on social media that the tax would directly fund improvements in both conservation efforts and the overall visitor experience.
A motion will be brought to the plenary session this Friday to initiate a legal and economic review for the tax’s implementation, aiming to utilize the proceeds to enrich the visitor experience and upkeep of the island’s protected areas.
The Island Council is also advocating for an update to the management strategies across various sectors to foster a more sustainable destination, particularly from an environmental standpoint. This integrated approach aims to balance natural area conservation with economic development and enhance the quality of life for the island’s residents.
The proposed tax is envisioned as part of a holistic strategy to not only preserve the environment but also to improve the experience for visitors. This initiative is positioned as a critical and integral measure within broader sustainability planning for Tenerife, ensuring long-term benefits.
Revenue from the tax would go toward the conservation, upkeep, and enhancement of these natural areas, securing their beauty and biodiversity for future generations and supporting the development of new services.
The Island Council stresses that the tax should be managed transparently and that its benefits should directly contribute to the protection of natural resources, considering the ongoing efforts by island residents in the regular management of these areas.
