Our country has maintained a friendly relationship with the United Kingdom for many years. The ties that bind us, especially in the Canary Islands and Lanzarote in particular, we could say are, if possible, even more intense than in other parts of the national territory.
Without going any further, almost 6,000 British citizens reside permanently in Lanzarote. This means being the first community of non-nationals, almost doubling the second largest foreign community in Lanzarote. For graphic purposes, the population weight of the British community in Lanzarote is greater than the two least populated municipalities on the Island, that is, Haria and Tinajo.
And as for the weight of tourism, more of the same. The United Kingdom still accounts for just under half of the volume of tourism business in Lanzarote, with more than 100,000 visitors in the past month of November 2019, the last one for which official data is available.
I am not only talking about economics and business figures, no. I am referring to people, cultural exchange and the enrichment that this has meant for us as multiculturalism and open-mindedness. I am thinking of all those British citizens who many years ago chose Lanzarote as their place of residence and have grown old among us. Also in those who, with a fidelity worthy of gratitude, have visited us with a frequency of less than once a year.
You don't have to think much to bring to mind that British friend or child of mixed couples with whom almost all of us in my generation have grown up. Municipalities such as Tías or Teguise can attest to this and the active participation of British people in public life. A part of the identity of Lanzarote in the 21st century is British, as are other cultures that live with us and have enriched us so much.
It is obvious to everyone that the United Kingdom still is, and will continue to be, the main source country for tourists for our most important industry, tourism. But it is also an important trading partner, and we must not forget that it is a top destination for our young people in search of opportunities and to improve their training.
For all these reasons and many more, and taking into account that in a globalized society like the one we have had to live in, borders are increasingly blurred, we must all make an effort to maintain and deepen the ties that bind us. And that is what we are doing, with the full collaboration and willingness of the British authorities.
Although Brexit seems inevitable today, we can provide a secure legal framework for the relations that bind us. An aspect that has already been resolved diplomatically by our respective governments.
Also at the island and municipal level, I am aware that efforts are being made and it is intended to give confidence and tranquility to British residents as well as to all those who visit us and have helped to place Lanzarote as a first-class destination. We must send a message of tranquility to our tourism sector and say that all means will be made available so that British citizens and those from other destinations continue to trust us as their favorite vacation spot.
I simply want to say that examples such as the institutional visit of the British Ambassador, Hugh Elliot, whom I had the opportunity to receive at the Cabildo, as well as the great work carried out to alleviate the fall of Thomas Cook, also by the island government, especially from the area of Tourism and Foreign Promotion, are a good example of the path to follow.
We are prepared to face the challenge of Brexit with the full conviction that the first thing is people and their needs.
Jacobo Medina
Vice President of the Cabildo and General Secretary PP of Lanzarote