The Arona Town Council recently organised a coordination meeting involving the mayor, the conservative Fátima Lemes, the Councillor for Economic Promotion and Employment, Dácil León, alongside representatives from the four Open Commercial Zones (ZCA) in the municipality. The purpose of the gathering was to tackle the primary issues affecting Las Galletas, Los Cristianos, Valle San Lorenzo, and the central areas of La Camella, Cabo Blanco, and Buzanada.
During the discussions, urgent matters were highlighted, including “the lack of cleanliness, security, and infrastructure enhancements.” Furthermore, they deliberated on proposals aimed at energising local commerce and improving competitiveness against larger retail outlets. One of the agreements reached involved initiating joint promotional campaigns that emphasise the unique aspects of each area. Both the mayor and the councillor underscored the significance of these meetings in grasping the traders’ needs and formulating coordinated responses.
Rosa León, president of the commercial area of Valle San Lorenzo, underscored the immediate necessity to present projects that develop the less tourist-focused regions of the municipality and bolster rural tourism, a subsector with substantial potential that, in her view, remains largely untapped. Moreover, she accentuated the need for infrastructure improvements, enhancing commercial areas, and ensuring a more polished image through increased cleanliness and security. She also urged the administration to devise ways to draw visitors to these regions via targeted plans.
“We want to see answers”
Carlos Delgado, president of the shopping area in Los Cristianos, conveyed his frustration regarding the lack of outcomes following several meetings with the local administration. “We want to see answers,” he remarked. Delgado emphasised that while Los Cristianos shares issues common to other areas, “the inadequate cleanliness is particularly concerning.” He also highlighted the necessity of organising events that entice both locals and tourists, similar to what occurs in other nearby holiday towns.
Additionally, he mentioned the urgent need to address parking challenges, advocating for the establishment of temporary parking solutions, such as the blue zone on Avenida Suecia, to enhance accessibility and make visits to Los Cristianos more appealing.
