The Island Council of Tenerife has firmly defended its plan to impose a tax on access to protected natural spaces, countering the PSOE’s proposal for an eco-tax on tourist overnight stays. Rosa Dávila, the island’s president, critiqued the PSOE’s proposal during an extraordinary plenary session called by the socialists.
She argued that their version of the tax does not distinguish between residents and non-residents, which could impact those travelling between islands for work or health reasons.
Dávila emphasized that the proposed tax by the Island Council aims to fund the maintenance of the island’s natural areas and would be carefully tailored to differentiate between tourists and residents, possibly varying by age or specific natural areas. In contrast, she claimed the PSOE’s approach would misuse the collected funds and lacked detailed planning.
The session also touched on broader fiscal strategies, with Dávila noting the substantial revenue from tourism and indirect taxation already contributing to the local economy. She underscored the unique fiscal autonomy of the Canary Islands, which allows for tailored taxation measures.
Pedro Martín, leader of the socialist group, defended the eco-tax as targeting only tourists, arguing that it would ensure all tourists contribute to the maintenance of local amenities and natural areas, unlike the Island Council’s proposal, which would only tax those visiting specific natural sites.
The debate also saw input from the PP and VOX, with the former supporting the Island Council’s tax as a means to enhance natural conservation without overburdening residents, and the latter criticizing the PSOE’s tax-focused approach as potentially harmful to the sector.
Further discussions at the plenary involved the status of the Imagine Green Studios Cultural and Audiovisual Complex in Adeje, a project declared of island interest last year, which has faced delays. Dávila assured that despite procedural delays, the infrastructure for the audiovisual sector was a priority and the project would progress.
