The Tenerife Cabildo says they are aware of the problems with tourism

The president of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, said yesterday (Wednesday) that the Cabildo is open to sitting down with those holding reasonable positions, sensible suggestions, and with those who will demonstrate on April 20th to demand a change in the tourism model on the island, as long as they do not advocate "tourismophobia."

During the press conference after the Government Council meeting, Dávila said that "in a democratic state, one must listen," referring to the protest as "an expression of free speech regarding certain issues that may be occurring in Tenerife, of which we are fully aware."

The president argued that, since taking office in the island government at the last election, they have been "getting down to work" and that the Cabildo defends “a type of tourism that understands the Island, we know that we are a limited territory and that we must preserve natural spaces."

Dávila argued that when “developing an economic model, one must be vigilant and observe the improvement of the quality of life of the society it serves," although she noted that this does not imply "dismantling an entire economic model that contributes significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the jobs generated in the Canary Islands, directly or indirectly linked to the tourism subsector."

She explained that it is about "reforming what we all see could be improved,” and emphasised: "We are far from those who hold radical positions and we would not understand them, but we are closer to those who are willing to talk and listen to what those who take to the streets have to say."

In the context of the presentation of the draft law on sustainable regulation of tourist use of housing, which is intended to be approved this year, the regional Minister for Tourism and Employment, Jessica de León, asserted that her department "has already begun the change in model of the main economic activity in the Canary Islands”, which will be demanded on April 20th by those who are protesting under the slogan 'The Canary Islands has a limit.'

"Managing and solving these types of problems must lead us to reforms and bold and disruptive approaches, which must address the population that wants and needs to express their feelings on April 20th," she argued, with "maximum respect" for the organisers.

The president of the hoteliers' association Ashotel, Jorge Marichal, revealed yesterday that, in one of the establishments he manages, he has received calls from foreign clients asking "if it is ‘safe’ to travel to Tenerife", which he finds “very concerning”.