Jéssica de León, the Councillor for Tourism and Employment of the Canary Islands Government, has firmly rejected the idea of introducing a tourism tax in the Canary Islands, arguing that such a tax would only serve the interests of the government rather than benefit the residents of the islands.
Councillor’s Response to Calls for Change
In a recent parliamentary session, Councillor de León addressed the issue in response to Nueva Canarias MP Natalia Santana’s call for a shift in the tourism model in the Canary Islands. Santana advocated for changes that would halt the expansion of hotel projects, such as the “Cuna del Alma” or the hotel in La Tejita, and instead emphasise implementing a tourism tax or a moratorium. De León firmly disagreed, arguing that a tourism tax, while it might seem beneficial, would ultimately not be a sustainable solution for the islands’ residents.
Critique of the Tourism Tax Proposal
De León described the tourism tax as a mechanism that essentially “plunders the Canary Islanders,” explaining that such a tax would only serve to fund government spending without truly benefiting the community. She stated, “If taxes truly redistributed wealth, the self-employed would be wealthier after the 27 tax hikes they’ve faced from the central government, but they aren’t.” She stressed that the proposed tax would merely generate revenue for the government to spend as it wishes, rather than directly benefiting the island’s economy or its residents.
Need for Constructive Debate and Differentiation
The Councillor called for a constructive debate on the matter, urging the need to differentiate between a tax that serves as a source of income for the government and one that genuinely aims to enhance the community’s wellbeing. She criticised MP Santana for trying to appeal to protestors who demand changes in the tourism model, suggesting that a clearer understanding of the implications of the tax is needed.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development
Instead of implementing a tourism tax, Jéssica de León highlighted the importance of focusing on sustainable tourism practices. She argued that public pricing in certain areas, such as Lanzarote, effectively redistributes income while protecting natural resources. She emphasised the need to improve existing hotel and tourism infrastructure rather than expanding land consumption, stating that the current Land Law allows each island to manage its resources and growth without imposing moratoriums.
Tourism Sustainability Plans and European Funding
De León shared her confidence in the successful implementation of tourism sustainability plans funded by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, which are supported by European funds. These plans, involving an investment of 144 million euros, aim to strengthen the value and competitiveness of tourism across 22 local sustainability projects and 24 cohesion actions directed at local councils. The Councillor expressed optimism that these initiatives would help develop Canary Islands companies, generating more wealth and creating job opportunities in the community.
She highlighted that every million euros invested in infrastructure generates 29 jobs, emphasising that this is a more effective way of redistributing wealth than imposing a tourism tax. Additionally, the plans are expected to transform the tourism sector, placing the needs of residents at the forefront and fostering a more sustainable approach to tourism.
Challenges in Managing European Funds
De León acknowledged that managing European funds can be a complex process, which is why the Canary Islands government has established a provisional administrative unit to assist municipalities in effectively using these funds. The unit has already managed 273 million euros from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, ensuring that spending is efficient and within the limited implementation timeframe.
Balanced Tourism Growth and Resource Management
CC Deputy Mario Cabrera, who requested the Councillor’s appearance, supported the idea of balanced tourism growth. He emphasised the importance of limiting expansion, reducing the demand for resources like water and energy, and ensuring that the economic benefits from tourism are fairly redistributed. Cabrera also highlighted the need for investment in the rural sector, promoting a more equitable distribution of wealth generated by the tourism industry.
He stressed the importance of protecting natural areas by setting clear controls to prevent overexploitation and preserving the islands’ biodiversity and environmental resources.
Jéssica de León’s stance reflects a commitment to fostering a more sustainable tourism industry in the Canary Islands that prioritises the wellbeing of residents, protects natural resources, and encourages balanced economic growth. Rather than introducing a tourism tax, she advocates for strategic investments and sustainable practices that will ensure the long-term prosperity and sustainability of the Canary Islands’ tourism sector.
