The surge of motorhomes and campervans in the southern region of Tenerife, particularly in areas such as Arico, Arona, and Granadilla de Abona, has given rise to an escalating dilemma that strains the harmony between the increase in transient tourism and the scarcity of affordable housing on the Island. What initially started as a recreational option has evolved into a housing crisis solution, creating a multifaceted issue that has prompted both local authorities and the Tenerife Cabildo to collaborate on establishing regulations to manage the situation.
The Arico City Council took the lead in April by requesting a comprehensive regulation from the Cabildo to tackle this issue, acknowledging that it transcends municipal boundaries. As stated by the mayor of Arico, Olivia Delgado, to DIARIO DE AVISOS: “We nearly finalised a municipal ordinance, pending the legal assessment.” The council urged the Cabildo to implement rules that would facilitate the regulation and provision of areas designated for this type of recreational activity across the Island.
Under Consideration
Last April, Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, indicated that a regulation addressing this matter would be introduced within “no more than three months” to standardise the rules across municipalities. However, as of now, the Tenerife Cabildo has reported that these regulations “are still in process.” Arona, another affected municipality, is currently developing a census of these vehicles as a preliminary step toward enacting its own regulations. In locations like Costa del Silencio, unlawful activities, such as prostitution, have been reported to occur within some of these caravans.
A striking example of this overcrowding can be observed on a plot in El Médano, within the Granadilla de Abona municipality, situated along the road to the Hermano Pedro cave, opposite Montaña Roja. This area has witnessed rampant growth of motorhomes, campervans, and even buses repurposed as makeshift homes.
The Councillor for Citizen Assistance, David Santos, informed DIARIO DE AVISOS that the plot is situated on rustic land designated for landscape protection, which complicates the implementation of immediate measures such as enclosing the area.
A BUS AS A HOME
One of the most vivid illustrations of this predicament is evidenced by a bus that has been transformed into a residence. This vehicle, adorned with blankets at the windows, has been adapted for everyday living.
Outside, one can find two cars, bicycles, and an ad-hoc personal workshop, highlighting the lengths to which many individuals are going to combat the housing shortage in Tenerife. This phenomenon must be assessed in light of the increasing housing scarcity in the Canary Islands and the declining purchasing power of the Islands’ inhabitants.
The challenge of securing affordable housing is pushing an increasing number of individuals to resort to solutions such as camper vehicles, which has resulted in the proliferation of motorhomes on land unsuitable for such use.
In this regard, the Arico City Council has stressed that the resolution should not solely involve restrictive actions, but also “the establishment of designated areas where motorhome owners can park and leisurely enjoy their time in an orderly fashion.”
