The Governing Council of the Canary Islands has just approved the decree that modifies the Regulations for the development of active tourism activities, following the positive opinion of the Canary Islands' Advisory Council and dialogue with all the agents involved, which include 1,200 companies in the islands and more than 4,000 related jobs.
The new regulation seeks to update the current 2017 decree, establishing as a priority the quality, sustainability, and safety of tourism services, as well as the harmonization of the professional activity of active tourism.
The Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jéssica de León, highlighted that "this new regulation aims not only to professionalize the sector, incorporating new employment opportunities, but also to avoid intrusion."
De León emphasized that "active tourism is an activity that generates employment, helps to spread the values of our territory without generating impacts on the environment, and has a positive impact on the local population."
The modification of the decree aims to regulate the authorization of companies and professionals, recognizing the different qualifications of personnel, such as degrees, certificates, or accreditations, that demonstrate their ability to perform each service. It also seeks to avoid creating barriers, excessive requirements, or limitations that prevent the exercise of the profession.
Furthermore, the evolution of the sector in our territory has been taken into account, with a growing volume of business and users.
De León explained that "the demand from our tourists and citizens requires a review of the activities that fall within the scope of active experience and participatory knowledge of the natural and social environment."
According to the councilor, "the variety of active tourism activities requires a dynamic classification that allows access to multi-skilled professional profiles."
This regulates professional certification based on quality principles, and facilitates access to employment and professional development, taking as a reference the National Catalog of Professional Competency Standards and the Catalog of Training Specialties developed within the framework of the National Employment System.
To avoid professional encroachment, the regulation establishes requirements to guarantee that the activity can be carried out in safe conditions, complying with the law, and providing a quality service.