Tenerife council approves plan to limit tourists with new 'daily cap'
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In an effort to protect its natural environment, Tenerife has passed a motion aimed at restricting tourist access to part of the island.
A plan advocating for a more sustainable tourism management model to address 'mounting environmental pressures' received strong support.
The initiative is designed to protect the natural heritage of the northern side of Tenerife, specifically Anaga Rural Park, which is facing increasing strain from thousands of visitors who are drawn by its dramatic scenery and popular hiking trails.
Read more: UK tourists in Tenerife to be charged new 'green tax' after over-tourism complaints
Carmen Peña, the councillor behind the proposal, stressed the urgency of addressing the threat to the area's fragile ecosystems.
As part of the motion, the council is urging the Cabildo of Tenerife to introduce a daily cap on visitor numbers.
The proposal, which pays particular attention to stemming the flow of private vehicles, aims to 'safeguard the area's biodiversity while maintaining a balance between tourism, local life, and traditional land uses', reports local news site Canarian Weekly.
Other areas of the Canary Islands are also looking at new measures to combat the negative effects of tourism on the natural environment.
Holidaymakers visiting Teide National Park, one of Tenerife's main tourist attractions, will be charged a new 'green tax' from next year following complaints about 'over-tourism'.
Locals and environmentalists have long complained about tourists parking their cars illegally, using unmarked trails, climbing fragile formations and taking volcanic rock as souvenirs.
Other measures include installing security cameras and enforcing stricter traffic controls to limit the number of people who visit the park at any time.
The Cabildo de Tenerife had already announced an online reservation system for certain, more advanced trails around the Unesco Heritage site in April.
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