The vice president of the Association of Motorhomes for Lanzarote (Acral), Miguel Caraballo, has acknowledged that the town councils are turning a blind eye to illegal camping but has called for regulation, admitting that there is "lack of control by users". "We are not all saints and there is everything in the vineyard of the Lord", said Caraballo, who has nevertheless defended his "right" to have camping areas, also addressing the people of Arrieta: "We all fit", he indicated.
"Just as there are beaches for dogs, roads for bicycles and all these issues, why can't we have a little piece of land to enjoy our leisure? If they have the right, so do we. Besides, we pay our taxes, because bicycles I don't think they pay anything and they close roads exclusively for them", said the vice president of the Association of Motorhomes for Lanzarote.
In this regard, Miguel Caraballo explained that the collective's demand is to have "a little piece to stay for 72 hours". "And if the motorhome is parked there after 72 hours, that's what the Local Police are for, to come and fine", he added.
They demand three camping areas on the island "at least"
The vice president of the Association of Motorhomes for Lanzarote believes that "at least" there should be three camping areas on the island, one in the south, one in the center and a third in the north. Papagayo and Arrieta are areas they claim, although they also believe that "Los Cocoteros is a very good area", where they also say "not to bother anyone", or La Santa, where "there is space and land to give and store".
"We are not asking for camping, just camping areas, let us stay, it seems we are criminals", criticized Miguel Caraballo. "All the islands have, even in tourist areas, 20 parking spaces exclusively for motorhomes. Why can't the same be done on this island?", he questioned.
Thus, Caraballo does not understand the opposition to creating a camping area in Arrieta. "What is more beautiful? That they throw water and chemicals everywhere? I think it is better to have it regulated", claimed the vice president of the motorhome association, who stated that there are more than 300 members in it. "And each member is a caravan. And it's not just us, but those who come from outside", he pointed out.
"If we are only parked, there is no law that can take us away"
However, Miguel Caraballo has defended the fact that motorhomes camp even though there is still no regulation. "If we don't have anything taken out, not an open window, or an awning or a table, if we are only parked, there is no law that can take us away from there, because it is a vehicle", he explained.
The vice president of the Association of Motorhomes for Lanzarote has acknowledged, however, that "the town councils are overlooking many things". "The truth is that they are not getting too involved with us in the issue of areas that are not allowed", said Caraballo, who in any case urged citizens to "report" if they see a motorhome "throwing water, dirt, chemicals or whatever".
"But I, for example, go to Los Cocoteros a lot and we try to keep the area clean", said this caravanner. "And before they robbed there in the houses every moment and now people are happy that we are there because they don't rob them", he added, thus defending that "rather" they have "that taken care of".
