Compassion and societal responsibility are virtues that elevate individuals. In a backdrop where various distressing situations coexist, initiatives like the one put forth by Charlotte Abildtrup, the manager of Atlantic Holiday hotel in the Adeje region of Callao Salvaje, are truly commendable. Abildtrup, who also serves as the Danish consul in Tenerife, is the driving force behind the “Solidarity Lodging” programme. This initiative provides all-inclusive accommodations to ten cancer patients associated with the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the Canarian Foundation Carrera por la Vida, offering them a week of respite and recuperation in a picturesque setting.
Initially, Abildtrup had conceived the idea to benefit Canarian children who lacked the means to travel or go on vacations. However, the former Adeje councillor for Social Welfare, Amada Trujillo, suggested a different focus for the project. “The concept of solidarity accommodation came from her, as she proposed redirecting the initiative towards cancer patients,” she elaborated. This shift has allowed individuals affected by this severe illness to unwind in a warm and tranquil environment for a week.
The director of the hotel in Callao Salvaje emphasises the significance of solidarity within the hospitality industry and how it can “reform” society. “All hotels should be more cognisant of the challenges facing our communities. We should contribute initiatives that enhance our society,” she expresses, urging other establishments in the sector to join this noble cause in the southern region and across the island.
The organisation of the programme is meticulously planned, with an apartment set aside for the next 10 weeks exclusively for this charitable endeavour. The stay spans one week on an all-inclusive basis and allows up to four companions to accompany the guest. This scheme ensures that the beneficiaries not only have lodging, but also receive “a holistic and unforgettable experience”.
“EXPANDING THE INITIATIVE WOULD BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL”
Charlotte Abildtrup envisions a bright future and holds high hopes for this undertaking. “My aim is to expand the concept to other hotels in the Callao Salvaje area next year. It would be wonderful if the initiative could proliferate, enabling us to host many more individuals.” Hence, she persistently desires for “Hospedaje Solidario” to evolve and progress. The Danish director aspires to make a positive impact on the subsector, not only in the region but throughout Tenerife.
Her Scandinavian background propels this proposal, as she describes, “Scandinavians are a society that always considers the collective welfare. We come from countries that, by tradition, aid those most in need. In these nations, where the wealth gap is narrower, a robust middle class exists, making it easier for us to show support,” she elucidates, pointing out how her Danish upbringing, which she embodies in Tenerife, has inspired this remarkable and compassionate project.
