British tourists travelling to Tenerife in the Canary Islands will face a new fee to visit certain locations from next year. The popular holiday destination will start to impose a levy on overseas visitors to its most famous sites from January 1, 2025.
This proposed charge is part of the island’s new tourism strategy, which has emerged following major protests in the Canary Islands on April 20 against mass tourism. More demonstrations took place last month as residents raised concerns about the impact of visitors to the island.
That new fee has been described as an eco tax, the Mirror reports. The amount visitors will have to pay is yet to be decided and approved by Parliament.
Several locations are expected to impose the new charges, with the busiest locations and attractions likely to be affected. Among the sites impacted is Mount Teide, Tenerife’s iconic volcano, along with several rural parks and hamlets like Masca.
The island’s council confirmed that January 1, 2025 is the target date for the new charge. The planned charges, it is hoped, will placate protesters who took to the streets of all eight Canary Islands to demand a change in the current tourism model.
Most of the main tourist areas are located on the southern side of the island – Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos are usually busy but there are some quieter beaches local people prefer. Mount Tiede, the third-highest volcano in the world is among the locations likely to face additional charges.
It can be reached by cable car or by a challenging hike. But to go beyond La Rambleta and reach the very top a permit is required in advance which requires planning before you set off on the long trek.
The Mirror reported how a spokesman for the Tenerife government said the introduction of the eco tax was necessary due to “the vast increase of people visiting protected sites”. The tax will ensure attractions are properly maintained and policed so they don’t become overcrowded.
Critics say the islands are being ruined by too many tourists and the protected landscape ruined by hundreds of thousands of visitors. Income will be used for the upkeep, maintenance and improvements of the open spaces. And a study will done to determine how much will be charged and who will impose the charges.
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