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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FRIDAY 28th OCTOBER TO THURSDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2016 TV GUIDE
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EDITION 562 PAGES 49 -56
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT F
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guide
ASHOTEL WARNS: DON’T WASTE 14 MILLION OPPORTUNITIES!
Jorge Marichal / Photo: Moises Pérez
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These are the words of Jorge Marichal, president of the hotel and non-hotel association for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro who has issued words of praise but criticism as well. The Ashotel boss says they are obviously delighted with the current success of the Canaries but has warned: “To be leaders it’s not just necessary to add to the number of people who visit us. This is 14 million opportunities to have a strong and competitive sector.” Sr. Marichal says many of
these tourists have chosen the Canary Islands for the first time because of the insecurity of some competitors “unfortunately affected by complex and unwanted socio-political circumstances.” But he has warned that unless the archipelago “has done it homework”, there is still the danger that 14 million opporunities might be lost once the bonanza is over and “the storm clouds gather”. And he has issued some strong words against the Canary Government for what Ashotel regards as inadequate
THREE DROWN IN CANARIES
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spate of drownings happened in the Canary Islands in the last two weeks or so.
On October 21st, a 50-year-old man died whilst swimming in the sea in Lanzarote. The tragedy happened off the beach of Los Charcos in Teguise just before noon. He was pulled from the water but was in cardiac arrest and could not be revived. There was another drowning in La Palma on October 18th, this time at Playa de Tazacorte in the mid-afternoon. Other swimmers spotted a woman was in distress and jumped into her help her. She was brought back to land but was declared dead after resuscitation failed. A woman also drowned in Lanzarote on the same day after being rescued at Playa Blanca in the municipality of Yaiza. At 7am on October 24th, a 50-year-old man was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after he got into trouble in the sea off Playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Photo: Moises Pérez
HE Canary Islands expect to end this year with a new record of 14 million tourists but these are 14 million opportunities NOT to be wasted.
investment and the state of some of the infrastucture, including Tenerife’s south airport and its TF-1 motorway. “I don’t think we deserve the status of some important infrastructure such as the Reina Sofia airport and its already outdated passenger terminal,” he says. “Many tourists have to travel here well in
advance for fear of missing their flight, one they could catch in perfect time if the main route which takes them from their hotels, ie the TF-1 was fit.” Sr. Marichal says the Canaries have to continue to renew its resorts, partially or in total but fundamental to this was the right investment from
the Canary Government. “Because let’s not forget that investing in tourism also means investing in the welfare of our society; not only beaches or promenades, the tourist infrastructures are also roads, gardens, ports and so on.” Ashotel says the Canary Government has invested
three million euros of its own resources in tourism infrastucture which was “neither sufficient or fair” given the extra tax collected, including through increased IGIC. But investing in tourism infrastructure also meant employing many people in the construction industry, which was just starting to revitalise.
Mystery death as man plummets from third floor
P
OLICE have launched an investigation after an unusual death in Santa Cruz.
A man died when he plummeted from a third floor window of a building in the centre of the city at 5am in the morning. Mystery still surrounds the exact circumstances but it is believed he may have been involved in prostitution and was trying to escape from the harassment and attempted assault of a client. There are reports that the victim was a transvestite and was threatened with a gun. He may have gone to the window
to call for help and ended up on the ground for reasons which are being investigated.
The man originally survived the fall but died in hospital as a result of the serious injuries he suffered. Some residents of the block called the police after hearing
a commotion. A man was later taken into custody in connection with the incident.