The Council of Tenerifethrough the Insular Directorate for Territorial Planning and Historical Heritage, is working on the preparation of an ordinance to regulate zones of caravans and camping in Tenerife, with the aim of enabling the leisure of the numerous users who demand this activity in conditions of quality, accessibility and safety, with optimal public services and supplies.
The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, indicated that they want to establish an ordinance to regulate camping areas in Tenerife with common criteria for the entire island and alternatives are also being sought for an increasing number of caravan users and establish places to develop the activity “but not in any way, but they can be spaces that have the necessary services and have the comfort and cleanliness they require.”
Pedro Martín pointed out that for this they are working to locate possible sites with the municipalities so that the Cabildo can acquire land and adapt spaces that meet the demand of the local population and visitors. “In short, it is about regulating the activity, offering spaces where camping can be done or where the population can take caravans, and respond both from the Cabildo and from the municipalities to the growing demand in this sector,” he said.
The insular director of Territory Planning and Historical Heritage, Emilio Fariña, pointed out that they want the activity to be practiced in a regulated, sustainable and respectful manner with the coastal areas of the Island, which is where this activity is mostly carried out, as well as in the Natural spaces.
The Canary Islands are currently the only autonomous community that lacks specific sectoral regulations that order this activity. “From the Cabildo these works have been promoted and prioritized to offer an insular regulatory framework, which allows the enjoyment of the activity in a controlled and sustainable manner in our territory, which also responds to the needs of the sector and serves as a guide for the municipalities to implement quality services and a competitive offer”, added Fariña.
For the island director, “through this planning instrument we also want to avoid negative impacts on the territory and put a stop to the irregular and uncontrolled exercise of this activity.” Fariña explained that in recent months he has held work meetings with the different camper associations to explain the content and objectives of the ordinance and collect their demands, focused especially on the need to have adapted and accessible spaces, as well as facilities for waste disposal.
He added that they are also coordinating meetings with the municipalities to locate suitable areas in their territories for parking and overnight stays for caravans, as well as waste disposal points.
The island government wants to approve a consensual and technically and legally rigorous instrument. “In this line, we continue to work from the Territory Planning and strategic projects area, from which we will continue to hold regular coordination meetings, to make decisions and continue advancing on the document until its final approval”, advances the island official, for which the regulation of the sector “is necessary and will respond to the demands of the different municipalities of the island, associations and the citizens themselves”.
