Putting a limit on tourist numbers

[Guanche]

I only read about this the other day. It would seem that the Canarian Government is looking to limit the number of tourist to the Islands. One of the things they wanted to address is the apparent effect tourism has on the culture of the islands, not to sure about that. I live in Spanish Spain and apart from the coaches that occasionally pass to go up the mountain and the odd, and I mean odd tourist, having a beer in the centre of town. Life seems to go on without any impact from tourism. I can understand that it's a different story in the South.

Tourism accounts for 30% of the Canarian GDP, so are they right to be looking at this issue? It does seem to be a long term strategy and of course the implementation of the law against lettings and subsequent fines on offenders with the obvious effect on beds available for tourists.

[Janet]

They've been saying it for some time, off the record initially, but now the new president has expressed it explicitly. It's an infrastructure thing, not a cultural one ...

This has been "raging" on the Illegal Letting Discussion page on my website for a time now. Only in the last few days I posted this:

They want what they call "quality tourists" who take upmarket holidays and spend more per person. They actively do not want, and actively wish to discourage, the cheap end of the market, the "plastic bar" (i.e. plastic chairs, cheap beer, sports TV or karaoke) brigade as they call them. They will be shedding no tears over the emptiness of theme bars and "traditional areas" that so annoys and frustrates those who still support the older mass market model.

What has interested me particularly in all this is Clavijo's attention to the all-inclusives. Previously, these have been accepted as around 30% of the market where they "fulfil a demand". The need to service that demand is now clearly and openly being questioned. AI holidaymakers are seen as not going out and spending anything, and even if they do, do so at the cheaper end of the market which is being discouraged. They are not seen as "quality" tourists, and I wonder if this will be the start of restrictive policies towards AI as part of the tourism model here. If so, it will be what's been called for by the "plastic bar brigade" for years, but it won't be for their reasons, and it won't be to their benefit!

[Delderek]

Oops, posted at same time as Janet, ( she has always beaten me for years anyway) but the message is possibly the same

In my opinion they are probably right. Remember the old seaside resorts in the UK that died and decayed. The south of the Island really was like these resorts but moved to a better climate. The UK resorts are now re-inventing themselves, as upmarket high class places to visit. Example Margate which a couple of years ago was the Pits, now with the Turner gallery the whole place is slowly being transformed. Sure, many of the people like me still rather like the old model, but looking to newer generations, they will want something better. Union Jack shorts will be out. A classic example is the difference between the original part of Las Americas and the Del Duque area. So places have to change, and although slowly, Tenerife gradually is.

[Guanche]

I've only ever been to one AI on the island and that was for a long weekend. Never do it again! The wife and I had to get out of the bloody place. Morning. Eat, pool, eat, pool bar, eat, pool bar, eat, pool bar, sleep, crap entertainment bar, sleep, same again! and maybe a trip up the mountain. Not my idea of a holiday.

Sounds like they want the money tourist bring in but don't want to see them? With that said the idea is not confined to the Canaries as the Balearic Islands are looking in the same direction. As I see it they want people with money, the only fly in that sun tan lotion is that people with money tend to have money because they don't like to spend it! And judging by my limited experience of AI thats about right.

Of course they could improve the tourist experience by implementing some of the many laws they have but choose not to use them until it suits certain peoples financial gain!

[Delderek]

My brother and his wife have just spent 3000euros for two weeks on a room at the Gran Melia, plus whatever else he spent. He is overjoyed that he is the type of tourist that is now wanted

[Guanche]

Butlins or Pontins in the sun?

[Delderek]

Butlins or Pontins in the sun?

Hardly,,, the Shoeshine man, even wanted to polish his trainers. 

[Perikles]

One of the things they wanted to address is the apparent effect tourism has on the culture of the islands, not to sure about that.

When they find any, can they please let me know?

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

My brother and his wife have just spent 3000euros for two weeks on a room at the Gran Melia, plus whatever else he spent. He is overjoyed that he is the type of tourist that is now wanted

Del I live 12 minutes from there.  Tell them I will put them up for two weeks with bells on at half the price. 

[Nova]

I think it's absolutely the right strategy.  The euro-a-pint brigade do nothing to help the economy or Tenerife's image and it makes perfect sense to focus on attracting higher-end tourists albeit in fewer numbers - we don't need as many of them when they spend more money per head.  Anyone who still wants "Blackpool in the sun" can sod off to Blackpool.  Or Magaluf.  They can probably watch Only Fools and Horses there too.