The discussion surrounding the enlargement of the zone of significant tourist influx (ZGTA) initiated by Llanos, which would enable the commercial opening of large retail spaces on Sundays and public holidays, is contentious. The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, stated yesterday that “the goal is to reach a consensus.”
Bermúdez reminded everyone that “in Santa Cruz, any establishment can open on any Sunday and holiday since the ZGTA was established in 2012, which allows all premises measuring less than 300 square metres to operate throughout the year. We are a major city, and the essence of this debate is to seek agreement. My proposal does not entail applying the same regulations we currently have.”
“There may be some who advocate for a different aim, but if the desire is to extend the area of major tourist influx as it exists now, with the same regulations governing it, we shall not pursue that. The concept is to broaden the opening to two, three, or four additional Sundays per year for premises exceeding 300 square metres and larger establishments, and we are endeavouring to listen to all parties on this matter.”
The mayor’s statement contradicts that of the first deputy mayor, Carlos Tarife, who, in an interview with Diario de Noticias, endorsed “the commercial opening on Sundays to transform Santa Cruz into a major capital.” Furthermore, concerning the CEO of the Development Society, Carmen Pérez, who has also raised the issue of scheduling freedom, he asserted that “I am completely aligned with her.”
Bermúdez emphasised that “my priority is the self-employed and small businesses, and within the area of significant tourist influx, at present, establishments can open every Sunday and on public holidays. If the proposed objective differs from this, I am opposed. I will not strive for that, but rather to achieve a consensus for two or three additional Sundays. We need to sit down, converse, and work collaboratively.”
Meanwhile, Fauca and the Central Zone Association “strongly” criticised Tarife’s comments, which they believe “expose a profound ignorance of the commercial reality in Santa Cruz. We find it unacceptable that a public official, instead of acknowledging the contributions and significance of small businesses, undermines our stance with disdainful terms such as Numantina.”
“These remarks illustrate an attempt to impose a model prioritising the interests of large establishments, disregarding the repercussions for traditional commerce. We reject an extension of the ZGTA that aims solely to disrupt the commercial balance in the city.”
The traders contended that “Santa Cruz does not need to emulate others that have faltered in different cities but should bolster what it already possesses, and more importantly, it is alarming that Tarife states that if he assumes the Mayor’s Office he will implement this measure unilaterally. This exclusive and tax-focused policy has no place here.”
