Natalia Bayona highlights the importance of regulating holiday rentals and implementing tourist taxes to support sustainable tourism.
LA LAGUNA (TENERIFE), 19 (EUROPA PRESS)
The director of UN Tourism, Natalia Bayona, emphasised the need to regulate holiday rentals and impose taxes as the sector has experienced significant growth worldwide, increasing by over 25%.
Speaking at the global tourism knowledge forum ‘Tenerife Global Summit 2024’ held at the Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism of the University of La Laguna, Bayona used the example of New York City where such rentals are completely prohibited, but acknowledged that each destination should decide its approach.
Bayona also addressed the impact of conflicts in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East, highlighting how these events, despite seeming distant, affect confidence and security, crucial for a stable tourism sector.
She presented data showing that Europe was the most popular global region for tourists in 2023, accounting for 55% of arrivals, followed by Asia and the Pacific (18%), America (15%), the Middle East (7%), and Africa (5%).
Discussing Spain, Bayona noted that the country welcomed 82.2 million visitors last year, with 14 million visiting the Canary Islands. These figures indicate a full recovery in tourism, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers by 2%.
Bayona underscored the significance of investments in the sector, revealing that Spain had invested €18 billion between 2018-2023, not only domestically but also globally.
She highlighted how investment could be a form of international cooperation, with Spanish hotel companies diversifying their offerings in emerging destinations such as Albania and Tanzania, thus aiding in their development.
Looking ahead, Bayona identified three key factors that will shape the future of tourism: education to train skilled professionals, social innovation to engage local communities, and the use of data for better decision-making.
In his address at the congress, the rector of ULL commented on tourism’s significance in the Canary Islands, acknowledging debates around issues like gentrification and rising rental prices.
He stressed the importance of academia in addressing these challenges and providing expert knowledge for effective solutions.
García highlighted ULL’s collaborations with various institutions for research and development in the tourism sector, underscoring the university’s commitment to tackling industry challenges.
LOPE AFONSO: ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Tenerife’s Vice President and Tourism Advisor, Lope Afonso, reflected on the sector’s growth over the past two decades and the need to enhance sustainable practices to ensure the island’s competitiveness as a destination.
Afonso emphasised that the forum’s outcomes could aid in improving visitor management and ensuring the entire society benefits from tourism while safeguarding the territory’s sustainability.
The Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Canary Islands, Jéssica de León, called for a shift from short-term thinking towards prioritising quality and sustainability in the sector.
De León highlighted the recent establishment of a joint chair with the Canary Islands’ universities as a step towards enhancing research, knowledge, and decision-making in tourism, building on the efforts through the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory.
“TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVEMENT”
De León reiterated that “tourism is a tool for enhancing the lives of Canarians,” underscoring the importance of preserving territories for sustainable tourism development that benefits local communities.
Jorge Marichal, President of Ashotel and Cehat, emphasised the need for sustainable tourism practices, outlining their organisation’s sustainability plan being implemented by accommodation providers.
Marichal noted the evolution of sustainability focus from economic to environmental aspects and now to social development, underscoring the sector’s responsibility towards balanced growth.
Addressing challenges around the production model, he emphasised the need for effective management practices to harness the benefits of tourism without adverse impacts.
Marichal called for greater collaboration between the sector and academia to elevate the industry and promote sustainable growth.
Estefanía Díaz, Councillor of La Laguna City Council, welcomed participants to the municipality and expressed hope for a successful event, while the organising committee members, Eduardo Parra and Tom Baum, reflected on the forum’s history and its focus on key industry issues.
