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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EDITION 624
FRIDAY 19th APRIL TO THURSDAY 2nd MAY 2019 MOVIES AT ...
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PAGES PA 25 - 27
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PAGES 39 -48
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HOTEL BOSSES UNITE IN FURY OVER TOURISM “STALEMATE” H
SPAIN ACCUSED OF LACK OF EMPATHY
OTEL bosses in the Canary Islands have joined forces to launch their most powerful attack ever on the Spanish Government for “its lack of empathy and support” for the biggest sector of business in the archipelago, tourism. In an unprecedented show of unity, the four major organisations representing the multimillion euro industry have called for major reforms in the way such matters as beach and hotel regenerations are dealt with, together with the issue of licences for important works. They say the State’s attitude towards the Canaries is unacceptable and want decision-making devolved to a local level so projects are not held up or take months, if not years, to get the go-ahead. “We demand speed in the numerous stagnant projects aimed at enhancing the coastline, as well as improving infrastructure on the coasts, renovating establishments and providing quality to the tourist destination,” they urge. The joint criticism comes from the hotel employers’ association, Ashotel (representing Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro) ; FEHT (the Federation of Hotel and Tourist Establishment Businesses in Gran Canaria); Asolan (representing the hotels of Lanzarote); and Asofeur (representing Fuerteventura). In a hard-hitting statement, they say the Canary Islands should take over responsibility for matters of coastal management, territorial matters, what the beaches can or cannot be used for, kiosks and other matters of general interest to tourism.
They quote examples such as the RIU Oliva Beach Resort Hotel in La Oliva on Fuerteventura which has been waiting a year and a half for the approval of a renovation licence and delays for other major projects like Playa de Martiánez and the sports/fishing port, both in Puerto de la Cruz, as well as the port of Fonsalía in Guía de Isora. And as another example, they point to Gran Canaria where they say there are new beach kiosks “in store” which could replace the current “totally obsolete and inadequate” existing ones. They are also fed up with having to wait for Spain’s permission to replenish washed away sand on the beaches. The groups say that a few months ago, a meeting was held with the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver Sagreras who showed concern for the issues but nothing had been done since. They point out that the Canary Islands have wonderful assets (beaches, weather, active tourism, weddings, fashion, conventions etc) but are being denied the chance to progress and compete with other destinations because of the stalemate. “We are being vetoed the possibility of offering a quality service on our beaches and our coasts, despite the willingness expressed by our companies to invest,” say the presidents.
Antonio Hormiga, José María Mañaricúa, Susana Pérez and Jorge Marichal
Cabildo tackles termite problem
T
ENERIFE Cabildo has informed town councils about the protocol of action and the treatment of termites which are causing problems on the island.
During the meeting, which was attended by the president of the Island Corporation, Carlos Alonso, technicians from the environment department explained the treatment of waste that may be contaminated by these insects, mainly household goods and pruning remains, and the procedures to which they are submitted when they arrive at the Tenerife Environmental Complex. The meeting also served to deliver informative material to the municipal representatives with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the behaviour of the “Reticulitermes flavipes” and the mechanisms to detect their presence in the dwellings. This information will also be provided to the technicians of each municipality to contribute to this task of diagnosis and control. In this sense, the Cabildo will make available to the town councils a specific work team made up of a technical advisor and professionals specialised in the application of the products for the eradication of this species.