Two top coastal destinations on the most popular Canary Island are set for an impressive £6 million regeneration project in a bid to boost tourism – despite the anti-overtourism protests held locally and across the archipelago in 2024.
The Tenerife seafronts – between Plaza de Unterhaching and Puerto Colón in Adeje and the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas in Arona – will be renovated, the Cabildo Vice President and Tourism Councillor, Lope Afonso, announced on Monday (January 13).
Both areas are in desperate need of modernisation and renewal to make them more comfortable, liveable and enjoyable for residents.
“Our aim is for these public tourist spaces to be as competitive as possible, which will also attract private investment in the surrounding areas, improving the perception of quality,” said Alfonso, according to Canarian Weekly. “This, in turn, is a tool to attract higher spending at the destination and increase the profitability of tourism activities.”
The main projects form part of the Insular Strategy and Tourism Regeneration Programme (PIER) 2024-2027, which was approved in December with an initial investment of 18 million euros (£15.1 million).
Afonso added that the plan encompasses five municipalities – Arona, Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz, Santiago del Teide, and San Miguel de Abona – which account for 120,970 accommodation places, over 90% of the island’s beds and the highest density of tourism activity.
The renovation of the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas will see the reorganisation and widening of the promenade itself, creating a more direct connection with the beach. Also involving a complete overhaul of paving, urban furniture and landscaping, this work alone will cost 3.8 million euros (£3.2 million).
The coastline promenade in Adeje is also set to be renovated, an area that boasts significant tourist activity, numerous hotels and leisure infrastructures. This project will involve creating new leisure areas with shade and vegetation, among others, for a total of 3.3 million euros (£2.9 million).
“The projects are designed to be comprehensive, addressing key areas within the urban layout of the municipalities,” Alfonso said. “We are committed to driving the regeneration of Tenerife’s tourist spaces.”
The Mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes, described the project as a “major step forward” for the Las Vistas area, adding: “It will revitalise the south of the island and Tenerife as a whole, as Arona is one of its main attractions.
“We will continue with improvements in Los Cristianos, the tourism hub of the municipality and we will enhance the area, its gardens, and accessibility, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly development.”
Adeje’s mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga added: “Our goal is to continue improving the municipality, firstly for its residents, while also addressing the demands of visitors and the main sector underpinning our economy”.
In 2024, by the end of November over 6.6 million tourists arrived in Tenerife, corresponding to an average of over 605,000 per month. This marks a 10% increase compared to 2023.
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