Lanzarote ecological tourism is under threat from illegal hotels - 09.07.2010

LANZAROTE, a Unesco biosphere site, has avoided the building craze for years, unlike some of the neighbouring Canary Islands.

But a spate of illegal, coastline buildings may persuade Unesco to drop the biosphere status of the island, which attracts “sustainable tourism more respectful to the environment”.

True, tourists go to Lanzarote to enjoy the sunshine, beaches and the views. But Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) sees it as

 an ecological, arid stretch of lava fields, salt marshes and coastal mountains.

Now, however, despite the Canary Island Supreme Court’s declaration that 24 hotels have been built illegally in coastal resorts, they still stand.

Eight of the hotels are landmark “luxury” properties, like the Princesa Yaiza, which overlooks golden sands. These hotels qualified for a total of 23.6million euros in EU grants, partly because of the biosphere status.

The EU anti-corruption office demands the money be returned, but the Princesa Yaiza owners say they have valid operating permits.

Unesco’s Meriem Bouamrane says: “If the developments are not respecting local needs and are impacting on the environment, the ‘biosphere’ title can be revoked.”

The Lanzarote saga was covered in detail by the Financial Times this week, much to the chagrin of the ruling council, which plans to issue a complaint to the British Embassy.

Yet it is a fact that in the past year or so, police have arrested around 24 politicians and businessmen, including the former Lanzarote provincial government president, in connection with illegal building permits.

Ms Bouamrane added: “Mass tourism was not something Lanzarote were developing. They promoted sustainable tourism more respectful to the environment.”

Of the 564 worldwide biosphere sites, Lanzarote is the only entire island to win the prestigious classification, and nearly half the island has been declared a nature reserve.

Aquilino Miguélez, coordinator for the Lanzarote government’s Biosphere Reserve Observatory, believes Lanzarote still deserves its ‘biosphere’ status, despite the building abuses.

“Corruption linked to development is a great problem on the island, but in many occasions we have actually blown the whistle, and Unesco knows that,” said Mr Miguélez.  

“What people don't seem to realise is that this reserve is a pioneer in Spain regarding the fight against illegal hotels. Taking away the title would be somewhat unfair.”