SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Nov. 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The association of professionals and enterprises operating in natural areas of Tenerife (AOENTE) has expressed its “surprise” at the announcement by the Cabildo of Tenerife regarding restrictions on the entry of tourist coaches to Anaga beginning in January, and has requested an urgent meeting with the president, Rosa Dávila, prior to enforcing any traffic limitations.
AOENTE highlights in a statement that tourism serves as the “primary economic engine” for these regions, indicating that a “responsibly managed” influx of visitors is crucial for employment and development in Anaga.
In fact, it underscores that sustainable tourism activities are beneficial not only to the local economy but also to environmental conservation.
The association contends that collective transportation for tourists “is part of the solution, not the issue” as it “contributes to a reduction” in the number of private vehicles in the vicinity, diminishes ecological impact, and alleviates congestion on access routes.
“Prohibiting public transport could result in a rise in individual vehicles, exacerbating mobility challenges and negatively impacting sustainability,” it remarks.
AOENTE believes there are alternative approaches to the ban, and prior to implementing such a “drastic” action, it is crucial to evaluate strategies that have proven successful in other natural settings throughout the Canary Islands, such as traffic light systems that regulate vehicle flow to prevent overcrowding; managed access through a reservation or permit system for tour operators that ensures a balance between access and environmental conservation; or preferential treatment for collective transport based on vehicle capacity — permitting access for coaches according to their capacity and occupancy while prioritising the most efficient vehicles.
Concerning parking facilities, the association advocates for the examination and proposal of specific areas that do not create “disruption” to daily traffic and recommends limiting visiting hours to manage and prevent an overload of visitors.
In its view, “limiting the entry of tourist coaches to regions like Anaga, Masca, and others without consulting the primary stakeholders may produce more harm than the positive aims this measure seeks to achieve.”
Consequently, it urges the Cabildo to establish a “line of ongoing dialogue and close collaboration” among all parties involved before implementing any restrictive measures that could negatively affect residents and those who wish to experience these areas.