The local government in Tenerife has imposed new measures that will mean tourists will have to pay more for water due to higher rates for holiday accommodation due to drought conditions
Brits are set to pay more for water than locals when they visit Tenerife due to higher rates for hotels and holiday accommodation as the island battles a drought.
Local authorities believe the booming tourism industry should pay more for water than residents, in a move that is likely to provoke anger from businesses who rely on visitors to the island. It comes with tensions rising in the Canary Islands over tourism, with locals claiming the swathes of visitors were causing housing issues and polluting the islands. It has led to graffiti messages such as “go home” being scrawled across walls, and some tourists were left feeling pretty uneasy.
Tenerife declared a drought emergency at the beginning of March after one of the driest winters on record and experts say the island is facing months and possibly years of critical water scarcity. Despite being one of the Canary Islands with more greenery, it has suffered a severe lack of rain in what should be its wetter winter months – especially in northern areas.
In recent years, rainfall has also decreased by between 15% and 40% At the same time, water evaporation has increased by between 10% and 25% in the island’s agricultural midlands due to higher temperatures. This January saw average temperatures of 20.9C making it the hottest weather islanders had seen in 60 years.
The extreme conditions have forced the government to introduce 75 measures designed to mitigate the effects of the drought and better manage scarce resources. As part of the plan, hotels and holiday accommodation owners will have to pay more for their water supplies – extra costs that will be passed on to holidaymakers, reported the Express.
Tenerife’s President Rosa Dávila, said: “It cannot be in this situation that golf courses pay the same price for water as farmers and livestock breeders.” She added: “We are doing this to prevent water supply problems over the next four years. This emergency declaration includes various measures: substantial economic investment, improvements in infrastructure, and a roadmap prioritising services for the population and the primary sector.”
The measures will be introduced for an initial 180 day period, but can be prolonged for a further six months. Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, said tourism accounted for some 10% of water consumption. “We must make an effort to ensure that our main economic industry has the water it needs, but pays the appropriate price,” she said.
