The Lanzarote Tourist Federation has expressed its "deep concern" for the recent cancellation of the XI edition of the Ultrabike Lanzarote, which had to be suspended a few hours before its start due to causes beyond the organization's control. The FTL recalls that "it is not the first time that a sporting event of these characteristics has been suspended at the last moment due to delays in reports, administrative authorizations that are issued in extremis without room for maneuver for changes, which reflects a structural problem that hinders the development of initiatives linked to sports and active tourism on the island".
"The cancellation of the Ultrabike, with all the equipment already in place, not only represents a detriment to the organizers, athletes and spectators, but also to the international image and the local economy of Lanzarote," lamented the president of the Federation, Susana Pérez, who stressed that this type of event is an essential part of the necessary process of diversification of the island's tourism offer. "We are still not making effective progress in a line that has been proposed as strategic for years," she added.
The event, which has international projection and mobilizes hundreds of participants - many of them from abroad - not only generates a direct economic impact on the accommodation, restaurant and commerce sector, but also promotes self-employment and the development of entrepreneurial initiatives around sports, healthy leisure and nature. "We are talking about a whole network of professionals and small local businesses that are harmed by these last-minute decisions," emphasizes the FTL.
In this sense, the employers warn that these cancellations add to the difficulties that many active tourism companies - such as hiking, cycling or outdoor activities - already face to operate normally on the island. "The legal uncertainty, the lack of agility in the procedures and the delay of the procedures discourage private initiative. Moreover, it is outrageous that Lanzarote does not yet have an Official Network of Trails like other islands, which prevents a tourist model of nature, sustainable and quality that is so proclaimed."
Therefore, the Lanzarote Tourist Federation urges public administrations to establish clear protocols, with predictable and coordinated deadlines that guarantee the legal security of these events and allow them to be planned with the necessary guarantees. "It is essential that the rules are clear from the beginning and that all the areas involved act in a coherent, coordinated and agile manner, to avoid new last-minute cancellations," says Susana Pérez.
She also warns that "this lack of predictability and coordination is also affecting other key segments such as MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, congresses and events), where Lanzarote loses competitiveness compared to other destinations".
The FTL insists that "the development of sports, active and event tourism is one of the most sustainable and de-seasonalizing routes for the island's offer, and that its promotion requires political will, a facilitating administration with the necessary involvement between the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society and the Cabildo". "We cannot afford to lose opportunities due to avoidable issues or aspects," concludes the president of the tourism employers.
