Under the slogan Towards a Fair, Social and Sustainable Tourism Model, the PSOE of Lanzarote held a debate on the future of tourism on the islands. The event, held in the Sala El Fondeadero in Puerto del Carmen, was attended by Francina Armengol, general secretary of the PSOE of the Balearic Islands and former president of the Balearic Government, who shared her experiences in managing a tourism model that is "more balanced and sustainable, the result of years of work in her native archipelago."
Armengol, accompanied by the island secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote and Deputy in Congress, María Dolores Corujo, recalled the history that has marked tourism in island territories such as the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, echoing a shared reality: “We can both feel what it is like to be kicked out of your house and how public space becomes an overly shared space.” With these words, she highlighted the saturation suffered by the islands and the urgency of changing course with coherent and courageous policies.
The right path is not always easy
In her speech, Armengol gave an account of the policies carried out under her government with the premise of fighting for social justice and the well-being of people, where she made it clear that the right path is not always easy.
“The historical context we found was that the business community always grew, whether in permissiveness to build or to obtain more profits,” she said. “I was always clear that if I had to defend someone, it would be the workers,” Armengol stated. “It was time for others to win,” with this statement, she made clear her conviction that tourism policies should focus on improving the quality of life of those who make this industry possible: the people.
Protecting the territory
During her speech, she also reflected on the need to protect the identity and ways of life of the island territories. “If you stop showing yourself as you are, you lose your identity, and therefore, you lose everything,” she warned. Armengol stressed the importance of not sacrificing the unique character of each island in favor of mass tourism, recalling that authenticity is what gives value to destinations. “When we took the measures, they told us that we were going against the economy, and the reality is that we were the first in economic growth,” she added, reaffirming that a sustainable tourism model faithful to its essence is not only viable, but also profitable. “Governing, we have a duty to be coherent and courageous”, she affirmed with conviction, underlining the importance of a leadership that does not give in to pressures, but seeks the common good.
“Our children and our grandchildren have the right to live in our land”
María Dolores Corujo, island secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote, took the floor to thank Armengol for her intervention, recalling that putting tourism development at the service of people and guaranteeing its sustainability over time is in the DNA of the PSOE of Lanzarote and vindicated the importance that the Island Plan of 91 has had for the island, "indelibly marked with a socialist stamp", while recalling the relevance of following the path that began in her mandate as president of the Cabildo.
Corujo recalled "the declaration of tourist saturation that she carried out during her term, a declaration that sought to protect the future of the island and that, unfortunately, has been stopped by the current right-wing government. Our children and our grandchildren have the right to live in our land”, Armengol stressed, agreeing with Corujo on the need to guarantee opportunities for future generations.
The debate made it clear that tourism must be compatible with the protection of the environment and social welfare, "a vision that Francina Armengol has turned into reality in the Balearic Islands and that the PSOE is determined to transfer to the Canary Islands. The PSOE will continue working for a tourism model that looks not only to the present, but also to the future, protecting the rights of people and the natural environment that makes the island unique”, concluded María Dolores Corujo.