The Cabildo plans to open the Papagayo campsite "in early July." This was announced by the councilor responsible for the facilities, Paula Corujo, who also stated that the campsite will be put into operation "with all services and adapted, of course, to the health situation."
"We have been working for months on the opening of the campsite," said Corujo, after the Cultural and Recreational Association of Motorhomes for Lanzarote and the Caravan Association El Burgao sent a letter to the president of the Cabildo this week demanding the "immediate" opening of the campsite.
According to the councilor of the Cabildo, given that at the beginning of the year the health circumstances of the island "were the worst of the entire pandemic", the institution decided to "start working on the opening of the campsite for the summer". "The forecast is that it will open at the beginning of July and we have already prepared various scenarios depending on the health phases we may have," added Corujo, who, however, did not dare to specify the day.
"It will be communicated," said the councilor of the Cabildo, who pointed out that she will also hold "a prior meeting" with the associations, with whom she has stated that she has had "frequent" contact both throughout this year and last year. In this regard, she applauded "the attitude and spirit" that they had last year, "when they themselves were aware that it could not be opened". She also said she understood that "there is uncertainty regarding the campsite".
However, in addition to confirming the intention to open it in the summer, Paula Corujo has also announced that it is planned to tender its management "to provide a continuous service throughout the year". "Let's see if we can and the circumstances allow it in 2021," she specified, however.
Capacity and control "so that the regulations are complied with"
For the moment, looking ahead to the summer, she has stated that the Papagayo campsite will not only be open to caravans and motorhomes. "The proposal made by the two associations is to enable the parking lot, but that is just enabling a parking lot, not opening the campsite. And effectively it is not only useful for motorhomes or caravans, but it is an area for campers not only from Lanzarote, but there is demand from other islands or places," added Paula Corujo, thus confirming that camping in tents will also be allowed.
In addition, although the caravan associations had proposed that it be opened without toilets and without electricity, Corujo has insisted that they are working to open "with all services", because it is necessary to "guarantee all possible health conditions".
Regarding the conditions under which it will be opened, she did not want to give many details until "all the information is closed and clear", but she did state that "the modification of prices has not been considered, at least this summer". "Regarding capacity, we will not be the ones to say it, but there is already a Covid contingency plan according to the different phases that may exist," added the councilor. She also stated that "there will be a control to ensure that the regulations are complied with".