Tenerife is set to introduce a new ban next year, which could affect UK holidaymakers. The popular EU destination, part of the Canary Islands, has issued a warning to British tourists about an upcoming restriction in the Anaga area.
The President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Davila, has announced a ban on tourist buses in a bid to improve traffic conditions and protect the island’s natural landscapes. Starting January 2025, tourist buses will no longer be allowed into Anaga Rural Park.
Davila has highlighted that these changes are part of a wider plan to overhaul what she calls the “obsolete model” of mobility on the island. She pointed out that these efforts have already cut down 23 million vehicle journeys in the last 15 months, easing traffic significantly.
However, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has criticised the stringent new rules. In her defence, Davila underscored the government’s dedication to free public transport, noting the introduction of an additional 7,000 bus trips to help reduce congestion.
Davila commended her administration’s “courage” in addressing the challenges of mobility on the island and urged opposition parties to come together in support of a “great pact for sustainable mobility.”
The Cabildo’s decision to restrict large tourist buses aims to maintain the peace and ecological integrity of Anaga Rural Park, reports Birmingham Live.
The hope is that this will allow both locals and tourists to continue appreciating the island’s natural beauty without the nuisance of heavy traffic. The Cabildo’s forward-thinking strategy seeks to strike a balance between the island’s allure as a prime tourist spot and the necessity for sustainable, effective transport solutions, according to a statement from the Canary Island government this week.
The prohibition is set to be implemented in January, just before the busy spring and summer periods for UK holidaymakers visiting the Canaries.