Latest news with #OswaldoBetancort
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island unveils new plan and exactly the 'type of tourist' it wants
Lanzarote's town council and the SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote are collaborating on a new campaign to foster "ethical and responsible tourism" that attracts the a certain kind of visitor A popular island in the Canaries is launching a new campaign to outline the exact type of tourist it wants to attract. Lanzarote has declared it 'doesn't want just any tourist' any longer. Led by the island's Cabildo (town council) and managed by SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, in collaboration with a specialist sustainability consultancy, the campaign will focus on fostering greater awareness among tourists even before they arrive on the island. At the campaign's launch, Oswaldo Betancort, president of the Lanzarote Cabildo, said that they want to attract tourists with appreciation and respect for the island. 'We are sending a very clear message: Lanzarote doesn't want just any tourist. 'But rather those who love and enjoy the island, who respect its uniqueness and contribute to its preservation.' The initiative is designed to reach all sectors of tourism, targeting not only visitors but also involving local residents, businesses, and the wider community. 'We are creating a globally unique model of ethical and responsible tourism,' Betancort said. He continued: 'The aim is for visitors to understand, even before they land here, that they are entering a delicate and beautiful territory that needs to be protected.' Hector Fernandez, CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote in Lanzarote, also commented on the responsibility of locals to make the campaign successful. He said: 'This campaign isn't just for tourists, it's also aimed at our local population. 'The message will be integrated into our work with airlines and tour operators to reshape how tourism is viewed on the island. It's a chance to change the entire paradigm of Lanzarote as a destination.' As reported by the Canarian Weekly, the project is being developed by the consultancy CARSA, with Director of Innovation Antonio Collado explaining that the approach will be participatory and inclusive. 'We're not just launching a campaign; we're building a long-term strategy for responsible tourism that reflects the needs of the island and its people,' Collado said. Working groups will be established with representatives from key sectors, including the Cabildo's Biosphere Reserve, Environment, and Geopark departments, as well as the island's Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres. The Spanish-owned archipelago that is the Canary Islands received a staggering 15.5 million tourists in 2024 - a 10 per cent increase compared to 2023. The rising tourist numbers have sparked backlash among locals who are being priced out of the property market in recent years. To address the issues caused by holiday rentals, Spain recently launched a new nationwide register which includes properties in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. Under the Single Tourist Rental Registry, property owners will need to register to get a code that verifies they are legally allowed to use the property for tourism. This will include entire homes, individual rooms within a property that's rented out separately, and homes listed on the likes of Airbnb and
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
Spanish island's new message as it warns some tourists are 'not welcome'
A popular holiday hotspot has launched a new policy - and they do not 'just want any tourist' Some British holidaymakers have been told not to come to a popular Spanish island as a local official claimed they don't "just want any tourist" following the launch of a new travel campaign. Lanzarote, which welcomed more than 1.7 million Brits last year, unveiled its latest drive to encourage people to come to the island providing they respect and conserve it. In addition, Oswaldo Betancort, the president of Lanzarote, said the campaign sends a message "that in Lanzarote we need not just any tourist, but a tourist who loves and enjoys the island". His words were echoed by Héctor Fernández, the chief executive of the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society, who described the initiative as "an awareness campaign towards the search for ethical tourism", according to local paper La Voz de Lanzarote. Fernández said: "The objective is to promote a more conscious tourism model, respectful of the territory and committed to the common welfare." He further clarified that the goal is to make "people understand that, from before landing, you enter a deeply fragile and beautiful territory that must be conserved and promoted". The campaign will involve working with airlines and tour operators "to reshape how tourism is viewed on the island", reports the Liverpool Echo. However, some people were critical of the plans. María Dolores Corujo, Betancort predecessor as Lanzarote president, argued that the local government should focus on addressing issues such as overtourism and the lack of local housing. "While residents do not have housing and hotel places skyrocket, the President responds with marketing campaigns asking tourists for affection instead of acting," she said. "It is not about asking the tourist for affection, but about exercising government responsibly. And that means declaring stressed areas, limiting tourist beds, curbing speculation and betting on a model that puts people at the centre." Corujo rose to prominence a few years back when, as president, she urged Lanzarote to become less dependent on both mass-market British bookings and "high volume tourism". Although her comments drew criticism from leading global and local tourism officials, she later clarified that British visitors would always be welcome on the island. Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy added there was a "perception" among some people that overseas visitors are not welcome in the country. With mounting tensions in tourist hotspots, Spanish locals have staged numerous protests against the influx of tourism, sometimes unfurling banners that read: "Tourists go home." Rental prices soaring due to tourism have been a significant bone of contention at these demonstrations. Addressing the situation earlier this month at the Spanish embassy in London, Heapy said: "We've had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like 'Is Spain safe?' 'Are we still welcome in the resort?' It is becoming a big issue unfortunately, and perception becomes truth." Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office's London director, stressed the importance of not letting isolated incidents taint the overall image of Spain. He said: "The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists. Where protests have occurred – in cities such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Santa Cruz – concerns stem from broader societal issues: housing pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental strain in high-density areas. "Spain is taking concrete steps to address these issues – through legislation on short-term rentals, tourism taxes in certain regions, and more comprehensive destination management." With more than 18 million UK visitors last year, Spain continues to be the top choice for British holidaymakers. Rosario Sanchez Grau, Spain's tourism secretary expressed her gratitude, saying: "We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors. It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future."
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Lanzarote reveals the 'type of tourist' it wants in major new tourism plan
Lanzarote is planning to launch a major new tourist campaign as the Canary Island declares it 'doesn't want just any tourist'. The new campaign has been designed to promote 'ethical and responsible tourism' reports local publication, the Canarian Weekly. At the campaign's launch, Oswaldo Betancort, president of the Lanzarote Cabildo, said: 'We are sending a very clear message. 'Lanzarote doesn't want just any tourist, but rather those who love and enjoy the island, who respect its uniqueness and contribute to its preservation.' The island, which received over three million tourists in 2024, is also aimed at Lanzarote's local residents. Hector Fernandez, a tourism lead in Lanzarote, said: 'This campaign isn't just for tourists, it's also aimed at our local population. 'The message will be integrated into our work with airlines and tour operators to reshape how tourism is viewed on the island. It's a chance to change the entire paradigm of Lanzarote as a destination.' The island's new focus is set to be on its 'delicate and beautiful territory' rather than nightlife. 'We are creating a globally unique model of ethical and responsible tourism,' added Betancort. 'The aim is for visitors to understand, even before they land here, that they are entering a delicate and beautiful territory that needs to be protected.' Lanzarote is the third-most visited of the Canary Islands with the majority of tourists attracted by its beaches. A volcanic island, Lanzarote's unique landscapes have been compared to Mars of the surface of the moon. In May, local residents took to the streets to protest against the island's tourism industry. Protests also took place in Tenerife, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera.
TTG
24-06-2025
- Business
- TTG
Lanzarote vows to be pickier about tourists in new ethical stance
The island's president, Oswaldo Betancort, said: 'We are sending a very clear message – Lanzarote doesn't want just any tourist, but rather those who love and enjoy the island, who respect its uniqueness and contribute to its preservation.' He added: 'We are creating a globally unique model of ethical and responsible tourism. The aim is for visitors to understand, even before they land here, that they are entering a delicate and beautiful territory that needs to be protected.' Details have yet to be finalised, but Hector Fernandez, chief executive of Turismo Lanzarote, added the message will be integrated into work with airlines and tour operators 'to reshape how tourism is viewed on the island'.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island airport plunged into passport queue chaos again as 3 issues blamed
As the Canary Islands prepares for an insufferably busy summer season, despite swathes of local protests, one tiny airport seems to be struggling to keep up with the demand Brits heading to the Canary Islands have been warned over ongoing chaos in one of its busiest airports. Last year, the archipelago, located off the coast of northwestern Africa, witnessed a staggering 15.5 million international visitors - despite a series of anti-tourist protests ordering holidaymakers to 'go home'. According to Spain's airport magnate Aena, 8.7 million of these tourists entered the Canaries through César Manrique Airport (also known as Arrecife Airport) in Lanzarote. But, with just one runway and a tiny duty-free area - the hub is edging dangerously close to its nine million capacity. As a result, the airport is often swamped with tourists - who are forced to wait in long queues waiting to get through passport control. According to Canarian Weekly, the chaos is being caused by three key issues: staffing shortages, faulty equipment, and an 'inadequate passport control area'. All of these factors are creating a 'bottleneck at one of the island's main gateways' - despite promises to improve the airport. Last month, the Spanish National Police said it was ready to deploy 45 new immigration officers to the aviation hub. As previously reported, this would effectively 'double the workforce' in the area and make passing through passport control a complete breeze. A spokesperson for the Canary Islands said the much-needed upgrade had been recommended for several years now - and warned that the new staff members should be exclusively assigned to work on border control duties. However, local media claims only 11 new immigration officers have actually been deployed - and only two of them are actually working in the passport control section. Oswaldo Betancort, the president of the Lanzarote Cabildo, has slammed the worsening situation, branding it 'a joke'. "I will be sending a formal letter from the Presidency to the Government Delegation to get clarity on this issue. We will not stop fighting for Lanzarote," he said. It paints a bleak picture for Brits heading over to Lanzarote during the busy summer period. Tourists are likely to have a similar experience as the Mirror's Discover Editor Victoria Chessum - who witnessed the airport's carnage last year. "On arrival to the airport we had been informed numerous flights back to the UK had been delayed due to poor weather and visibility - something no one can help," she explained. "But the impact of this at Arrecife was dire - with no place to sit, let alone stand, while queues of people attempted to get food, or even reach their gate. "When we decided to brave one of the long lines for dinner, we were made to wait an hour for our order to simply be handed to my husband, who then spent around 10 minutes trying to get through swarms of people to find us. We had reluctantly perched on the end of someone's table." Victoria isn't the only person with a negative review of the airport - which has amassed a slew of one-star ratings on Google. "I was waiting in the queue for bag check / boarding pass for an hour," one person moaned. "The woman at the desk was chatting to other staff the entire time even though there were two long queues of people waiting." Another branded the hub 'chaotic and unorganised'.
