Our Island has an area of 845.94 square kilometers, with almost half of its territory protected (41.5%). It has approximately 155,812 inhabitants by right and a population density of 184.191 inhabitants/km2, with the Spanish average being 94. In 2019, the last normal year before the pandemic, it received more than three million tourists. It is a not very large island, densely populated and, considering the inhabitants by right and the floating tourist population, it has a fairly high degree of urbanization. Even so, it still retains a certain quality of life.
In 1993 it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, although little has been done to conserve that title and nothing to delve into its essence. Since then, the quality of tourism has decreased, overnight stays are below the Canary Islands average, 8.75 nights on average per tourist in Lanzarote, compared to 9.09 in the Canary Islands, and spending at the destination does not increase. We have a low-cost, mass tourism model of low quality, far removed from the ideas advocated by César Manrique.
A model that, considering the dimensions of the Island and its current population, is simply not sustainable. However, we continue along the same lines, in Playa Blanca they are building, in addition to more villas, a new hotel resort with 720 rooms, the largest in Lanzarote. It is urgent to define our population and tourist carrying capacity, as it is already close to overcrowding and the territory cannot be stretched. An overly inflated balloon runs the risk of bursting.
We have to approach the 21st century with the perspectives of this new time, the ecological mentality is increasingly strong throughout Europe, specifically in the most developed countries, which are our main issuing markets. We have to adapt our management to new guidelines. Suffice it to say, for example: the Timanfaya National Park, the flagship of Lanzarote's attractions, is crossed by a road that connects Mancha Blanca and Yaiza that has an alternative through Tinguaton, this road should have restricted traffic, thus reducing the pressure on the park. A quota of daily visitors should be defined, with reservation and advance sale of tickets online. The current buses that make the interior route should be changed to others with panoramic views and that use clean energy, solar or electric. The El Diablo restaurant should be gourmet, for tasting, based on local products and with the claim of cooking with the heat of the volcano.……..In short, evolve with the times.
We have missed a golden opportunity. The pause registered by the pandemic was the ideal time to debate and reflect on the future of our only industry. To propose improvement alternatives, plan pilot experiences or make necessary changes. Nothing has been done. The failure is resounding on the part of institutions, employers' associations and unions, as well as associations or foundations close to this sector. They have limited themselves to waiting, without even promoting reflection and debate, as if our model did not need changes and nothing could be further from the truth.
I have friends who work in hospitality and tourism (Who doesn't on this Island!) Doro, Sarapio, Jóse…who, without being technicians, have the wisdom that comes from many years of work and being in daily contact with our visitors. They tell me that in the guild there is the impression that something has to be done to promote quality without increasing the influx. This seems to be the general feeling.
Quoting Don Quixote we would say ¡Green things Sancho! I add…. to those who, seeing the problems, do not try to fix them.
Eduardo Núñez González.
Sources:
Data Center of the Island Council of Lanzarote.
ISTAC (Canarian Institute of Statistics)