On October 7, 1993, Lanzarote and Menorca experienced a historic event: for the first time in Spain, two entire islands were declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. This year we celebrate the XXV Anniversary of the granting of the title and it seemed more than enough reason to know what people think.
Through the Data Center (an area of recognized prestige and credibility created in 1994 for carrying out studies and analysis of all areas of Lanzarote) and the company Perfiles, we have asked 800 people by telephone between December 19 and 26 (more than representative sample) on various issues of general interest.
It seems that we all think we know what citizens think and no, that is not the case. The important thing about this initiative is that this study does not say what each political party wants to hear, not even what I would like to say. This is not the opinion of any political formation, nor of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, nor of Pedro San Ginés; it is the real opinion of the citizens.
The result has been a pleasant surprise. The population of Lanzarote values both the current economic situation of the island and that of the home, as the highest in the historical series that is known (last 27 years for the island's economic situation and last 12 years for the home). Other aspects stand out, such as the population's awareness of environmental protection and its state of conservation, where it is again the highest. Not in vain, despite the exposure that social networks give us, the truth is that we have eradicated municipal public landfills without any type of treatment to concentrate them in Zonzamas, a model center in waste management.
With tourism, the positive assessment of citizens has also doubled in the last 10 years, going from 44.4% in 2007 to 88% in 2017 and here I would like to make the incision that, despite the data, our strategy will continue to revolve around excellence where we will prioritize quality over quantity.
The positive data does not make me fall into triumphalism; on the contrary. I work without expecting anyone to attribute to us the merit of positive assessments, but what would have happened if the citizen perception had been negative? With my feet on the ground I am aware of the shortcomings that Lanzarote still has and my team and I know that there is still much to be done, however it is encouraging to know that the real perception of the work carried out by the institutions is also positively valued by the population with more than double the score compared to the year 2003, a fact for which I have no choice but to thank the trust placed in me; managing in times of crisis has been the greatest personal challenge I have faced.
In short, the assessment and opinion of the population on the economic situation of Lanzarote and on the economic situation of the respondent's home is the highest we know; an index that encourages us to continue on the path we have traced so far and that, despite the media noise, the constant attacks to which I am daily subjected by those who think they know everything, we are on the path of the correct or at least, of the least bad.
As I have said on other occasions, I have wasted too much energy getting into the trap in each of the inventions that are poured daily on my management and my person. I have proposed not to do it anymore even if I only manage to do it less often; I think I should concentrate my time on managing the institution in which the majority of you have wanted me to be elected twice as President.
I invite you to see the full study at https://goo.gl/PcKTWi
Thank you, Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
Pedro San Ginés, President of the Cabildo de Lanzarote
