SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 20 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A campaign has been launched by the Canary Islands Tourism Board in the airports of the islands, funded with European capital, aimed at raising awareness among tourists regarding the importance of respecting natural spaces from the moment they arrive in the archipelago until they depart the airport facilities.
“We understand the increasing concern of the Canarian population for the well-being of our delicate land, hence this initiative to raise awareness will be ongoing,” stated Jéssica de León, the Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands.
De León highlighted how Fuerteventura Airport confiscates a significant amount of shells and rhodoliths that tourists attempt to take as souvenirs. “Our goal is to communicate a message of consciousness to our visitors so that they refrain from engaging in such disrespectful behaviours towards the ecosystems, often done out of pure ignorance,” De León added.
The campaign, with an emotive tone, features the slogan ‘Respect their environment and they will open their hearts to you’ in English and Spanish, alongside characteristic images of each of the islands displayed on digital screens located in the baggage claim area, as well as in the arrivals hall and parking areas of the airports.
“The Canary Islands are highly vulnerable environmentally, so it is crucial for our tourists to understand that human actions disrupt the balance of ecosystems and degrade them, such as if they wander off designated trails, leaving footprints in the sand or disturbing animals and plant life,” De León concluded.
In order to encourage tourists to adopt respectful and preventative behaviours, a landing page has been created at https://www.holaislascanarias.com/turismo-sostenible-y-responsable/, accessible via a QR code, offering guidance on sustainable travel across the Canary Islands.
This initiative complements the campaign launched earlier this month on the mainland, where Turismo de Canarias also aims at tourists who are responsible and considerate towards the environment and unique identity of the islands. In a bold and unconventional approach, a large banner was displayed in Madrid’s central Plaza de Sol, featuring pixelated images of various locations in the archipelago, the statement ‘Islands not suited for all audiences’, and a direct question to the audience: Are you one of those who practice responsible tourism?
