Tourism accounts for 35% of the wealth of the Canary Islands, equivalent to around 20.000 billion euros annually. It also generates 40% of direct jobs in the region, which underlines its importance for the Canarian economy. In defence of this vital activity, a dozen entities and associations, representing some 67.000 Canarian companies, have signed a manifesto that claims tourism as the "economic engine of the archipelago". There are no trade unions or the Las Palmas hotel employers' association in the document, although they can sign on.
The Manifesto, signed by entities such as Ashotel, the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, CEST, Fauca, Excelsia Canarias, AERO, Foro por el Progreso de Tenerife, Apeca, Aoente, Astracan, Fedetax and several other companies, reflects the commitment of the signatories to sustainable and regenerative tourism. This document, the result of roundtable discussions, calls for an inclusive debate involving all stakeholders, with an emphasis on public-private dialogue and the development of public infrastructure in line with the demographic growth of the islands.
The Manifesto also advocates the implementation of measures that promote sustainable mobility and regulations to combat intrusion and illegal practices. One of the pillars of the declaration is the commitment to a sustainable tourism model that ensures the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Business leaders emphasize that tourism must coexist with responsible environmental policies, including the reinvestment of taxes generated by the sector in environmental protection and regeneration projects.
The signatory entities recognise that the growth of tourism activity in the Canary Islands has coincided with problems such as population growth, lack of infrastructure, access to housing and the crisis of natural resources. However, they regret that tourism has been singled out as the main cause of these problems. They affirm that tourism is not only a crucial economic pillar, but also an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing the region.
In this sense, the associations argue that tourism has been the main tool for the growth of the islands, allowing the Canary Islands to evolve from a region marked by emigration to a model of progress and well-being. The document concludes with a call for an open and constructive dialogue on tourism, based on rigorous data and evidence, and reaffirms the commitment to a responsible and sustainable development of this industry, crucial for the future of the Canary Islands.
