Environmental Groups Protest Meliá’s Proposed Hotel Acquisition
Strong Opposition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
On Thursday, five environmental groups condemned hotel chain Meliá for entering negotiations to acquire the La Tejita hotel in Granadilla de Abona. This protest took place in front of the Inside by Meliá hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the groups unfurled a banner voicing their concerns.
Eustaquio Villalba, spokesperson for ATAN, stated, “We have displayed this banner to denounce that an important chain like Meliá wants to take on a hotel that is unjustifiable from an environmental standpoint.”
Concerns Over Development Model
Villalba expressed that Meliá’s intention to acquire the under-construction hotel would contribute to a development model that is overwhelming the island, which he claims local authorities are allowing to happen. He criticized the issuance of permits despite numerous complaints from conservationist associations.
“Purchasing the rights to operate a hotel that destroys the coastline of Tenerife’s most iconic beach is morally unacceptable. If Meliá proceeds with this hotel management, it will face enduring criticism from Canarian society,” the five environmental groups stated in a subsequent release after the protest.
Negotiations Under scrutiny
The denunciation is rooted in claims that Meliá has been negotiating for the management of the hotel, still under construction, for several months. The groups expressed concern that the construction has not secured interest from any hotel chain to buy rights to operate. They warned in their statement, “Meliá can be certain that its reputation will be tarnished from the moment we make this news public. Moreover, the groups pursuing legal action against this hotel will not cease until it is demolished and the ecosystem restored.”
Possible Work Suspension
The construction has been reported by the Salvar La Tejita group. Spokesperson Ana Sabin indicated that “at any moment, a court order for complete suspension could be issued.” She also mentioned that the license for the project was not granted in accordance with urban planning law, and she anticipates it will be invalidated when the courts consider their complaints.
Sabin explained that the development has faced multiple complaints, including a significant one to the European Union, as it fails to meet a European directive concerning environmental impact. Furthermore, she noted that the construction has adversely affected the nesting habits of the threatened Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), and protections for local flora and fauna were overlooked.
Additionally, she condemned the destruction of dunes, asserting that they have been flattened by machinery both inside and outside the project site. There are also concerns about the invasion of public maritime-terrestrial domains. “There are so many violations that we are confident this hotel and its license will not be recognised as valid,” Sabin remarked.
The groups signing the statement include Fundación Telesforo Bravo-Telesforo Bravo y Juan Coello, Ben Magec, Ecologistas en Acción, Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza (ATAN), Asamblea en Defensa de Nuestra Tierra (ADNT), Salvar La Tejita, and Asociación Abeque.
