Access to Anaga during the recent Easter Week showed significant improvement compared to previous years. This optimization is attributed to police control and fines for illegally parked vehicles, which, according to Borja Bencomo, spokesperson for the Unidos por Anaga platform, demonstrates that “if the Cabildo put in effort and commitment, all problems have a solution”.
However, Bencomo pointed out a negative consequence: the reduced tourist influx has directly affected the local economy. The spokesperson attributes this situation to the “alarm messages” that the Cabildo de Tenerife has disseminated for years to discourage visits to the area, creating a “fear effect” that results in fewer customers for businesses.
“"A business located on the beach of Roque de las Bodegas, last Sunday, at 4 in the afternoon, was completely closed."
As evidence of this impact, Bencomo cited the case of an establishment on Roque de las Bodegas beach that remained closed on a Sunday afternoon, a clear indicator of the effect of institutional campaigns. He lamented the lack of protection for entrepreneurs, who must face taxes and salaries without the expected revenue.
In addition to tourism issues, the spokesperson for Unidos por Anaga criticized the general saturation of the island, which extends beyond traffic jams. He mentioned the situation at Almáciga beach and other coastal areas, where there are “illegal settlements without any services” that generate unsanitary conditions, with hundreds of people camping and relieving themselves in the surroundings. Bencomo described this situation as “unsanitary” and stated that it is a widespread problem along the island's coastline, highlighting a lack of management of public land use.
The challenges for residents and businesses in Anaga persist, even after Easter Week. Bencomo highlighted that they now face “distortions” caused by film shoots, which occupy the already scarce available parking spaces. He concluded by emphasizing the need to create infrastructure and facilities, including parking, as in any first-world tourist destination, and reiterated that recent police action demonstrates that problems can be resolved with administrative will.
