Similar to the Reyes Bartlet cultural association’s recent actions, the Centre for Tourism Initiatives (CIT) in Puerto de la Cruz aims to highlight the ongoing non-compliance experienced by the local council since 2021. “If the CIT were a business, we would now be facing closure,” asserts its president, Juan José Hernández Melián.
He points out that the repercussions “are significant,” as this has resulted in the loss of funding from other authorities, payment delays to suppliers, and they are even contemplating shutting down the tourist information office due to an inability to meet payroll for their staff. Nonetheless, this final decision requires the consensus of all members.
“We are enduring a predicament that is not of our making, which has created a detrimental image of the CIT, and we are unfortunately perceived as defaulters,” laments the president.
This issue has persisted since 2021. That year, the CIT secured an agreement with the council that included the organisation of two events: namely the Agatha Christie Festival and Oktoberfest, the oldest beer festival in Spain. “The issue is that while one received full payment, the other was only partially paid, and this was settled in April 2022, forcing the CIT to advance funds to all its suppliers,” Hernández elaborates to this publication.
The agreement for 2022 was only signed in November 2023 and payments were made by May of the previous year, “which compounded the debt and drew from membership fees, some sponsorships, and the entity’s own resources,” he notes.
Delays persisted. The agreement for 2023 was signed in August 2024, “and the payments for that year have yet to be received, while as of January 23, the agreement for 2024 has not been signed either,” he clarifies. Regarding the latter, the CIT requested the local council to “provide at least a draft to clarify the terms, enabling us to adjust our budget.” However, “as of now, the CIT has received no draft, no agreement, and the promised sum of 25,000 euros has yet to be disbursed.”
The accumulated debt thus far has compelled the entity to inform suppliers via letter that they would only be able to settle a portion of their invoices as the remainder cannot be accommodated. “Some indicated that if we wished to host events, we would need to provide advance payments.”
Hernández emphasises the efforts made by the CIT, which extend beyond merely organising specific events, and which have not wavered, despite the challenging circumstances it faces. “We collaborate with all associations seeking our assistance in securing accommodation, we provide tourist information, we conduct guided tours, and much more; thus, it is unacceptable to stifle a non-profit entity whose sole aim is to support Puerto de la Cruz,” states Hernández.
