During a recent visit to the treatment plant in Guía de Isora, the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Davila, put forward a proposal to establish a fee specifically for tourists visiting the island. This fee would be linked to accessing protected natural spaces and would have a clear objective of channelling the funds towards their conservation and upkeep.
Highlighting the value and significance of Tenerife’s natural landscapes, Davila stated, “We believe this is a way to raise awareness about the importance of our land and natural spaces, and to showcase their value to our visitors.”
Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso, echoed similar sentiments, confirming that the fee would be designated for conservation efforts and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
“We will put forward a motion in the upcoming plenary session to initiate a legal and economic study for the implementation of this fee. The funds generated will be utilised to enhance the visitor experience and ensure the preservation of the island’s protected natural spaces,” he explained.
The Cabildo also emphasised the necessity of updating the management strategy across various sectors of the island’s administration to work towards a more sustainable destination, focusing particularly on environmental aspects.
Through this proposed strategy, the aim is to strike a balance between conserving natural spaces, promoting economic development, and enhancing the well-being of Tenerife’s residents.
This innovative approach to taxation would encompass a holistic view that addresses both environmental conservation and visitor experience enhancement.
Therefore, the suggestion to introduce a fee to support conservation efforts and visitor experiences in Tenerife’s protected natural areas would be an integral part of this strategy, rather than a standalone measure. The Cabildo emphasises that this is a crucial step towards ensuring sustainability in the short, medium, and long term, in conjunction with the regulations governing the use and management of these spaces.
The revenue generated from this fee could be directed towards the conservation, maintenance, and enhancement of these natural environments, thereby guaranteeing that future generations can also appreciate their beauty and biodiversity, alongside the introduction of new services as outlined above.
Furthermore, the Cabildo emphasises the importance of managing any proposed fee in a transparent manner, ensuring that the funds are effectively channelled back into the protection of natural resources. They also underscore considering the continuous support provided by residents towards managing these areas in the formulation of the taxable event.
