Alternativa Ciudadana (AC) has shown its "perplexity and concern" for the lack of positioning of the Lanzarote hotel association, Asolan, against issues "of enormous importance" for the future of the island and, in particular, for the tourism sector itself, such as oil exploration. In the opinion of this formation, Asolan demonstrates "a serious lack of responsibility towards Lanzarote and the Canary Islands" for not issuing a judgment on "the plundering of a resource on oil" and on the "imminent threat" of the surveys, which could affect "seriously" the tourism sector.
AC has also regretted that the president of Asolan, Susana Díaz, "lavishes praise" on the holidays in Lanzarote of Minister José Manuel Soria, who "acts against the will expressed by the institutions and citizens of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands for the exclusive benefit of a multinational".
"It is incredible that two and a half years after the approval of the exploration decree and when the Ministry insists that the authorization to Repsol will be issued in the next few days, in Lanzarote we have a hotel association without positioning itself and applauding the oil minister", they denounced from Alternativa.
"Irresponsible" group
Therefore, the party has described Asolan as an "irresponsible group" and has reminded it of the "decisive" role that the Balearic hoteliers have played to "try to stop that same minister and that same multinational in the waters of the Mediterranean, and in favor of their economy".
"That Soria has the Tourism portfolio in his hands, or that he spends his summer in illegal hotels in Lanzarote, is by no means sufficient reason for those who represent a sector as important as the hotel business to stop fulfilling the role they have in the society in which they operate", he insisted.
In this sense, AC has recalled that the seven municipalities of the island have already expressed their opposition to oil, as have the Cabildo, the Government of the Canary Islands and the Regional Parliament. "Sociological studies indicate that more than 70 percent of the island's population has positioned itself against this barbarity, which has also motivated the two largest demonstrations in the history of Lanzarote. What is Asolan waiting for to position itself? What if the pitch reaches the beaches?", they ask from Alternativa.
Soria, "bad publicity" for Lanzarote
In addition, contrary to what was expressed by the president of the hoteliers, AC is clear that Minister Soria "is a disastrous publicity" for Lanzarote, since most of the references to his visit to the island in the media and public forums "are being linked to the terms illegality and oil".
"That the name of Lanzarote appears associated in the public opinion to urban excesses and the intention to extract oil on the coasts is not good news for the image of our island. Soria's attitude, who stays in an illegal hotel and insists on defending Repsol, can only generate rejection", they pointed out.
