SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Just shy of 200 individuals, primarily non-Tenerife residents, explored the Masca gorge in the Buenavista del Norte municipality over the past weekend, following the implementation of an access fee to this natural area.
During a media briefing, the Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, acknowledged that the initiative is in its infancy and that currently, the focus is not on revenue – tourists pay 28 Euros, Canarian residents three Euros, and Tenerife residents are exempt – but she highlighted the “positive feedback” the measure has received within the municipality.
It was also clarified that the fee only pertains to those descending into the ravine – the boat fee is a separate charge – ensuring that visits to the village remain freely accessible, a concern particularly for local businesses and residents.
It was specified that visits are regulated from Friday to Sunday until a later phase, beginning in December, allowing for possible extensions thanks to the 18 personnel employed for surveillance and maintenance duties and the upcoming mobility plan to regulate bus access.
Addressing criticisms about island residents having to pay upfront on the booking platform, it was explained that this measure was intentional to prevent reservations being made at zero Euros, thereby safeguarding against no-shows. The system is designed to ensure those genuinely interested can visit. The daily quota is set at 275 people, and the upfront deposit from residents secures their commitment.
“The intention is to ensure that only those truly interested can visit. Therefore, there is no room for spontaneity; it is a deliberate decision for Tenerife residents to place this deposit, which will be reimbursed upon presentation of their ID. It is a token amount, and I struggle to see anyone objecting to it,” remarked Dávila.
