The Cabildo of Lanzarote defended this Thursday that it has taken measures for "the tourist planning and containment of growth". This new political strategy seeks to "protect the territory, regulate vacation rentals and consolidate a profitable and sustainable tourism model, without increasing the volume of visitors."
This was explained this Thursday at the Fitur balance press conference by the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort: “We are managing a paradigm shift that guarantees the quality of life of residents and the protection of our island. Lanzarote must continue to be the island that grows the least in volume of visitors, but the one that makes its tourism industry the most profitable. This strategy ensures that we continue to lead in sustainability and profitability, with clear control of growth.”
One of the most relevant measures is the inspection of vacation rentals, a task that had not been carried out since 2017. According to statements by Jesús Machín, Councilor for the Area of Territorial Policy and Urban and Tourist Planning, 120 homes have been identified that do not comply with the regulations, proceeding to prevent them from continuing to carry out this activity.
“Since 2017, such exhaustive work had not been carried out in this area. Now we are applying firm measures that regulate this sector and protect the integrity of our island model,” said Machín, assuring that “we will continue on this path of regularization and responsibility by inspecting the rest of the housing registrations made from 2018 to today.”
President Betancort also highlighted the collaboration between the Cabildo and the area led by Jesús Machín to advance in containing growth and in the removal of 2,000 tourist beds. “We are demonstrating with facts that this Government group prioritizes the protection of the territory and urban and tourist planning. Lanzarote is not only projected as a leading tourist destination in sustainability, but also as a benchmark in how to manage quality tourism with high added value.”
Commitment to stable markets and new horizons
For his part, Héctor Fernández, as CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, highlighted that the tourism strategy also focuses on stable markets such as the United Kingdom, which represents a solid socio-demographic and economic market for Lanzarote: “We are dependent on this market, but we also enjoy its loyalty, something we deeply appreciate. The health of the British market continues to be a fundamental pillar of our tourism industry.”
Likewise, Fernández stressed that Lanzarote is promoting firm strategies to attract new markets, such as the American one, as well as others that respond to the qualification of tourists that the island aspires to receive: “We want to attract a visitor who values and respects our territory, who joins our commitment to sustainability and contributes to our economy with an average expenditure per tourist, which has already increased to 191.7 euros.”
Recognition of the business sector and the human team of SPEL
The president also recognized the business sector of Lanzarote, highlighting its key role in adding value to the tourist experience: “Our business sector provides a unique value chain, with exclusive infrastructures and services that consolidate Lanzarote as a first-class destination.”
Finally, Betancort highlighted the work of the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society (SPEL), whose human team was awarded the Tourism Trajectory Award by the jury of the Canary Islands Tourism Awards 2024. “This professional team is helping us institutions to achieve such important challenges for the future. Their work is an example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can lead us to success.” With this comprehensive strategy, Lanzarote is moving towards a future where sustainability, profitability and quality are the pillars of its tourism model.
