Exact date tourists going to Tenerife will be charged to visit popular sites

26 April 2024 , 22:13

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Costa de Adeje Beach in Tenerife Spain (Image: Getty Images)

Tenerife is aiming to start charging holidaymakers to visit its most famous tourist sites from January 1st 2025.

The move is part of the island’s new tourism strategy which is being drawn up following major protests throughout the Canary island on April 2O. The level of the new charge, described as an eco tax, has yet to be decided and the formalities agreed by Parliament.

But today , the island’s council confirmed January 1st of next year is the target date for the new charge. It will apply to all of Tenerife’s most famous protected sites including the volcano Mount Teide and several rural parks and hamlets like Masca.

The move will go some way to placating protesters who took to the streets of all eight Canary Islands to demand a change in the current tourism model. They say the islands are being ruined by too many tourists and the protected landscape ruined by hundreds of thousands of visitors.

However the protesters want more extensive changes including the introduction of a general tourist tax and a moratorium on building new hotels and tourist accommodation.

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At least six of the campaigners are still on hunger strike and a sit in was today held on Gran Canaria to support them. Tenerife Cabildo says the new charge is essential to safeguard the island’s protected spaces and there will be controls over numbers and access.

The income generated will be ploughed back into the upkeep, maintenance and improvements of the open spaces. A study will now be carried out to determine how much will be charged and how it will be policed.

It is understood that locals will also be charged though a decision on this has yet to be made. A spokesman for the Tenerife government said the introduction of this eco tax was necessary due to the vast increase of people visiting protected sites, visitors and locals alike.

There has been no official update about the hunger strikers though at least two of them have required medical treatment and one had to be taken to hospital. The protesters say not enough is being done over their demands and are planning more demonstrations.

Rita Sobot