SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 7th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has declared that the forthcoming Law on Sustainable Tourism Utilisation of Housing does not intend to eradicate holiday rentals on the islands but instead aims to address the long-standing housing crisis in the archipelago in a bold manner.
When responding to a query from Popular Party deputy Juan Manuel García Casañas, the president emphasised that both the decree law on urgent housing measures and the proposal that will regulate holiday accommodation in the Canary Islands are focused on tackling the issues with determination because circumstances cannot be left to chance; decisions need to be made.
Fernando Clavijo emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Government to govern and legislate on such a complex matter with so many conflicting interests as holiday rentals, highlighting that in this case, the Minister of Tourism, Jéssica de León, “displayed courage and delved into the matter.”
Clavijo stated that the draft legislation will be available for public scrutiny this month and assured that many of the recommendations put forward will be considered to enhance the text. However, he reiterated that this regulation “does not aim to abolish holiday rentals at all but rather to organise and supervise them” to prevent “adverse consequences” like housing shortages or social unrest.
On the other hand, Juan Manuel García Casañas attributed the housing crisis in the Canary Islands to the housing scarcity during Ángel Víctor Torres’ government, where “only 112 residences” were constructed, and “over 25,000 requests” were recorded, the “legal ambiguity” stemming from the Housing Law, and the growth of tourism.
Consequently, he underscored the present existence of a Government of the Canary Islands “that has endeavoured to address a housing and tourism planning issue” with measures that have been implemented and are focussed on “enhancing the quantity and quality of the lodging offering,” seeking “sustainability and equilibrium” in tourist activities.
