The association comprising professionals and businesses operating in the natural areas of Tenerife, AOENTE, urges the Island Council to ensure that the decision to close the trails leading to the summit of Teide to nocturnal traffic includes an exception for legally established companies and federated climbers, allowing them to access these paths.
AOENTE acknowledges the hazards associated with ascending to these high altitudes, particularly during winter and at night, and strongly condemns the unfortunate incidents that have transpired recently on Teide, resulting in the rescue of 130 individuals over three consecutive days. Moreover, AOENTE commends the Tenerife Cabildo’s decision to close access to Spain’s highest peak from early afternoon (4:00 p.m.) until 9:00 a.m.
Nevertheless, the measures designed to restrict access for reckless individuals, who have endangered tourists’ lives, should not adversely affect, in AOENTE’s view, those companies and seasoned professionals. This approach mirrors practices in other comparable situations; for instance, during snowfalls on Teide, when access to the natural space is granted to active tourism companies and skilled professionals or federated climbers—groups that have consistently exhibited ample responsibility and experience, alongside possessing appropriate insurance to cover any eventualities.
In light of this, AOENTE calls on the Cabildo to be particularly considerate towards this group of professionals, ensuring that when measures are enacted concerning access to natural spaces, the potential for maintaining an economic activity conducted with complete responsibility and service quality is duly recognised.
For AOENTE, it is crucial to emphasise the necessity for professionals and companies involved in active tourism to be appropriately registered with the Tourism Department of the Government of the Canary Islands, as well as to hold insurance that provides guarantees of coverage for their clients.
