The conversion of the known as Golden Mile of Playa de las Américas (Arona) in a kind of avenue of the fakes and of the peddling It is a constant that has been increasing in recent years. Almost to the point of obstructing the very passage of pedestrians on the sidewalks. This has led to Local and National police to carry out an operation against the second of these activities, as reported yesterday by the Arona Town Hall.
This situation, which this newspaper reported weeks ago, has been highlighted, both by businessmen in the Southern region, and by the business representatives in the area themselves. The first, through the Circle of Entrepreneurs and Professionals of the South of Tenerife (CEST), chaired by Javier Cabrera, and the second through the Golden Mile Merchants Association, whose president is Jimmi Gómez.
Although the amount of confiscated material has not been specified or if counterfeit trademarks have been seized, the municipal corporation explained that the police operation was carried out last Thursday, acting against an illegal activity in the public space, of the In the same way that it did a few days ago in the case of the illegal excursion kiosks, a situation denounced in this newspaper by the companies in the sector that comply with the legal requirements to carry out this activity.
Local and National Police Agents
The Arona City Council stressed that the operation took place on Avenida de Las Américas, “popularly known as the Golden Mile, and in the vicinity of Camisón beach and the promenade that surrounds it, and was attended by members of the Police Local Arona, with the reinforcement of members of the National Police Corps.”
The mayor, Fátima Lemes (PP), explained that “we are coordinating various actions that will improve the security of the citizens of Arona and its visitors. We are clear that we must act against the illegal activities that are taking place throughout the municipality”, while the councilor for the Security area, Alexis Gómez (CC), said that “illegal street vending is a problem in which we are already working. This corporation – he added – is very clear about its priorities and complying with and enforcing current legislation is essential. We have arranged a device and the work of the agents of the Arona Local Police and those of the National Police Corps has been very professional and coordinated.”
Both also emphasized that “there is very good harmony between both bodies and that is noticeable in operations like the ones we have carried out in recent weeks.” All this in reference to the actions carried out in different areas of the Arona coast against the illegal excursion kiosks, which were dismantled for occupying public roads without permission to do so, in addition to carrying out an activity without proper permission.
However, in recent days, the appearance of one that was previously there threatens that the situation will repeat itself.
In the case of the street sale of products, the blankets fill Avenida de Las Américas every day, especially in the afternoon, selling all kinds of clothing accessories, some of which are found in their original version in at least two stores in the surrounding shopping centers.
“I can’t understand how this has proliferated so much. They have passed three towns,” explained Jimmi Gómez, who represents the mile businesses, about this situation, days ago.
“The situation is scandalous. Right now they are occupying the entire facade of the Safari shopping center all the way to the playground at the end of the street. “You can’t walk,” complained a merchant, familiar with the development of this space, created as a first-class urban development, in search of high-purchasing tourism. For his part, the president of CEST, Javier Cabrera, assured that “the street sale of counterfeits represents an undeniable obstacle for the local economy, both for businesses and small restaurateurs, and, in addition, constitutes a crime against property.”
One of the excursion kiosks reappears on the coast again
Despite recent police actions against illegal kiosks selling excursions on the Arona coast, at least one of them has reappeared this week. It is also one of those who was notified, dismantled and expelled from the area by the authorities.
