The Labour Party in the Tenerife Island Council has raised concerns about the fact that federated climbers from all across Spain can enter the Masca ravine for free, while residents of Tenerife and the other Canary Islands have to pay and are promised a refund.
The socialists are against “the transformation of a symbolic place on the island like Masca into another tourist commodity for commercial purposes, as has been done by the ruling group led by Rosa Dávila, which provides preferential treatment to climbers from outside the Canary Islands, who enjoy free access, in contrast to residents who have to pay to enter the ravine”.
Moreover, the Labour Party had previously denounced, when the entry fee system for the ravine was introduced, that Tenerife and other Canarian residents were being forced to pay to access Masca, with the assurance from the ruling group that the money would be refunded to them.
“We believe that once again, the island’s Environment director is using his position to favour whoever he chooses: now the group of climbers from all over Spain, to which he himself belongs,” the PSOE criticises.
The PSOE of Tenerife continues to urge Rosa Dávila to endorse the introduction of an eco-tax for overnight stays in non-resident tourist accommodations, so that all tourists coming to the Island contribute to the conservation, protection, and maintenance of protected natural areas.
The socialists question why a climber from the rest of Spain can enter Masca for free while a Tenerife resident cannot. They also highlight that during Pedro Martín’s term, “access to the ravine was restored, the Visitors Centre was established, and a new pier was built on Masca beach. All of this involved a substantial investment, which cannot be recouped in this manner by the Cabildo.”
“Rosa Dávila has voted against foreign tourists making this contribution, instead placing the responsibility on Canarian and Tenerife society as a whole to invest in the care of the Island and our environment,” they express.
