The Franz Weber Foundation has requested this Wednesday to open a process of dialogue with all parties involved to face "a reconversion of the activity of camel rides on the island of Gran Canaria" after collecting "tens of thousands" of signatures for the same purpose in Lanzarote.
In a statement, the non-governmental organization has pointed out that the camel rides in Gran Canaria, the result of a previous reconversion from a declining activity in the primary sector towards tourism, are also carried out in the Maspalomas Dunes, which have been protected as a special natural reserve since 1987.
This implies, in their opinion, that "any activity should be carried out with exquisite care to respect these sandy formations and the natural heritage ensemble".
A month ago, the Franz Weber Foundation launched the 'Canarian Camels' campaign to propose a total reconversion of the sector of rides on Canarian camels and dromedaries in the island community, moving towards sustainable tourist activities that did not involve the exploitation of these animals.
According to the organization, "tourism increasingly demands activities and leisure without animal exploitation", which is known as "ethical" tourism or stays; even booking accommodation or hospitality with lower climate-environmental impact, which would argue for at least opening a debate on the suitability of maintaining these camel rides as a tourist attraction on different islands of the archipelago.
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