The entry fee proposed by the Tenerife Cabildo to visit natural and protected areas of the island, being voted on in tomorrow’s (Friday) parliamentary session, will resemble the model adopted in Lanzarote at Timanfaya National Park, meaning residents of Tenerife will receive a 100% discount but will still have to book to enter.
This has been confirmed by the president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, who said that her proposal for Friday's session is an "eco-tax," although Vice President, Lope Afonso, referred to it as a "targeted fee" for the protection, conservation, and improvement of visits to these areas.
It's worth noting that the official position of the PP party is against the implementation of a tourist tax or eco-tax. In fact, they voted against a tourist tax or eco-tax on overnight stays in the Canary Islands Parliament yesterday (Wednesday).
Rosa Dávila has assured that this initiative will move forward regardless of the stance of the Canary Islands Government. She has confirmed that the Tax Office is already analysing the systems needed to collect this fee for visits to the spaces involved.
Initially, the protected areas considered by the Cabildo to implement this fee would be the Teide National Park, the Anaga Rural Park, and the Teno Rural Park, although the possibility of adding more to the list is not ruled out.
Regarding the potential difficulties that a fee might pose in the Teide National Park, the island president has reported sending a letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment requesting an analysis and, if necessary, modification of the National Parks Law of 2014.
In her opinion, this proposal would allow for charging access to this space, while any modification would adapt to the pressure due to the volume of people wanting to go to each park.
Davila also emphasised that prices have not yet been set, as they are still in the process of study and analysis. She explained that "this fee is not so much aimed at increasing revenue as it is at enhancing the visitor experience and protecting the spaces."
She also highlighted coordinated work with the municipalities of La Laguna and Santa Cruz to address mobility issues in Anaga and collaboration with Buenavista for visits to Masca.
