News from Tenerife #9 is published weekly as a short summary of the past week’s events on your favorite website. In this series, we share various events and news items from the previous week. Each article in News from Tenerife #9 is a synthesis of several facts, actions, and occurrences that are too brief to be presented as full-fledged articles.
Canary Islands: The Only Spanish Location for Subtropical Meteorology Studies
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The Spanish Meteorological Institute Aemet and the regional Canary Islands government have signed an agreement to enhance knowledge of climatology and coordinate efforts to address adverse phenomena and climate change.
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología in the Canary Islands and the regional government have formed a unique study group in Spain, focusing on the analysis of subtropical meteorology. This initiative aims to improve the coordination and management of meteorological phenomena that pose natural risks to the archipelago and to tackle climate change.
David Suárez, Aemet’s territorial delegate in the Canary Islands, highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between the Canary Islands government and Aemet in meteorology and climatology. Collaboration on challenges such as the impacts of climate change and adverse meteorological phenomena will result in tangible benefits for society, he stated.
The signing of this agreement formalizes a future partnership and underscores the government’s concern for the climatic and meteorological situation. Climate change is altering historical weather patterns, and research is essential to prepare for these changes. Collaborative efforts in forecasting, emergencies, and climate change will provide critical information for decision-making in these areas.
This protocol emphasizes the fundamental importance of formalizing, strengthening, and expanding the collaboration between Aemet experts and the civil protection technicians and analysts of the Canary Islands government. This joint effort ensures precise information and effective coordination during adverse meteorological events, enabling the government to make decisions for public safety.
Thousands Participate in Carrera por la Vida/Walk for Life
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The 19th edition of Carrera por la Vida, which concluded in Playa de Las Américas, broke records for participation and fundraising. Over 7,000 people responded to the charity call of the Canary foundation led by Belgian Brigitte Gypen, raising €109,130 to support research against this disease and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. This result rewards the months of hard work by the organizing body and its team of volunteers, whose dedication was crucial to the success of the event.
The backs of many participants’ T-shirts bore handwritten personal messages: “I walk for Priscila,” “for Maite,” “for Marta and everyone,” “for those who are no longer with us.” These messages served as encouragement in some cases and as a tribute to those who lost their battle against the disease.
Yaiza Díaz, a journalist from Tenerife who underwent surgery last month, served as the event’s patron and shed a few tears on stage during the foundation’s awards ceremony after receiving a wave of applause. “This applause is for all the women in situations like mine,” she said. The author of the novel La hija del ciego, who received the foundation’s medal for being a “life winner,” ended her speech with a cry of hope: “Today we celebrate life.”
Brigitte Gypen thanked the force behind this event. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of attending medical check-ups: “Early detection saves lives; that’s our core message today and every day.”
Mayors of Arona, Adeje, Guía de Isora, and Buenavista del Norte participated in the event. On behalf of the Canary Islands government, Ángel Sabroso, Deputy Minister of Physical Activity and Sport, highlighted that the values of sport—perseverance, effort, sacrifice, and teamwork—are represented in actions like this. A notable quote: “The image of this event speaks louder than a thousand words.”
A fire truck siren marked the start of the large charity walk, setting a vast pink wave in motion—the largest in the event’s 19-year history—which concluded at the Oasis Shopping Center in Playa de Las Américas. Organizers were thrilled at the end of the event, and the notary confirmed a double record.
The bar is now set very high for the next edition, which will celebrate a milestone anniversary. Preparations are already underway, including an idea involving 20,000 rubber ducks.
Santa Cruz Takes First Steps to Transform the Old Refinery into a Green Lung
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The Board of Directors has acknowledged the start of the procedure to suspend planning in the area of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife refinery. This document also greenlights the drafting of temporary urban planning regulations, which will remain in effect until the definitive planning of the industrial site’s land is approved.
Initiated by the city council of Tenerife’s capital and the Tenerife Island Council, the Santa Cruz Verde 2030 project aims to recover approximately 573,000 square meters currently occupied by the oil refinery. The goal is to reintegrate this space into the urban fabric of the city.
The project seeks to transform the industrial zone into an urban area for housing, public spaces, facilities, and commercial activities. It also plans to reclaim the coastal strip at the southern entrance of Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the city. According to the technical report, the project will include the establishment of strategic island infrastructure related to transport and mobility. Public, social, and economic interests justify the application of Article 168 of the Land and Natural Spaces Act of the Canary Islands, which allows planning suspension in exceptional circumstances.
In its preliminary phase, public consultations will be promoted to gather information and consider citizens’ proposals. The second phase will involve participatory discussions and workshops to collaboratively develop planning alternatives for the area. The third phase will include feedback on the activities conducted to define the planning model. Finally, the fourth phase will analyze all contributions gathered during the public information period to assess their feasibility within the resulting planning proposal.
Ascav Criticizes the New Traveler Registration Regulation as “Nonsense”
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The Canary Islands Vacation Rental Association (Asociación Canaria del Alquiler Vacacional, Ascav) has strongly rejected the new traveler registration regulation introduced by the Ministry of the Interior. They describe the regulation as “nonsense” due to the large amount of information required and the resources necessary to comply.
Ascav claims that the regulation, which mandates a centralized register for tourist accommodations, reservation platforms, travel agencies, and vehicle rental companies, disregards the sector’s recommendations. The sector has managed such data for over 40 years, making the new regulation an unnecessary burden.
The implementation of the SES Hospedajes platform, designed to centralize registrations, experienced a rocky start, with the system collapsing on its first day, causing what Ascav described as “chaos” and “stress” among users. The association warns that this situation jeopardizes public safety by hindering the system’s proper functioning.
The Most Beautiful Nativity Route on Tenerife Now Open
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Now in its seventeenth edition, the nativity route features 28 nativity scenes in homes, squares, and public and private institutions. The Taoro Association of Nativity Scene Builders, in collaboration with the local council, has produced a booklet with information about each scene, including opening hours, locations on a map, suggested routes, and a section for collecting stamps to participate in a lottery and win various prizes. Visitors must visit and stamp at least four of the nativity scenes listed in the booklet. The booklet is available in print at the route’s points of interest or can be downloaded from laorotava.es.
To facilitate visits, the Taoro Association of Nativity Scene Builders has planned several routes. For schoolchildren, the “Beleneando por La Orotava” program is offered, with around 1,500 students from schools across the island expected to participate. In collaboration with Be-canary Slow & Sustainable Tourism, guided tours titled “The Road to Bethlehem” will take visitors through the emblematic nativity scenes in the historic center. These tours are available from December 2 to January 2, on Mondays in Spanish-German and Thursdays in Spanish-English, starting at 5:00 PM. Lasting 2.5 hours, participants can discover the secrets and details of La Orotava’s nativity scenes. The activity costs €10 per adult, with a 40% discount for children. Associations and groups can also arrange guided tours at reduced prices, depending on the number of participants, encouraging local groups and communities to join this experience. Interested parties can make reservations at tours.be-canary.com.
The nativity scenes in La Orotava, created selflessly by various residents each year, stand out for their diversity and cultural richness. Some recreate a Hebrew style, while others depict typical landscapes and scenes from the Canary Islands. The collection also includes unique creations, such as an original nativity scene made with Playmobil figures, adding a modern and playful touch to the tradition.
Francisco Linares García, the mayor of La Orotava, commends the extraordinary effort of the village’s nativity scene builders, whose months of work result in authentic works of art. Their invaluable dedication, spending countless hours of their free time and contributing to the route so residents can enjoy it, is highly praiseworthy.
The Taoro Association of Nativity Scene Builders in La Orotava was founded in 2008 and consists of over 70 members, including individuals, associations, and businesses. Their mission is to preserve, maintain, and promote the tradition of setting up nativity scenes each Christmas. To this end, they organize various activities annually, such as workshops on building nativity scenes.
These events and developments significantly impact life on Tenerife, highlighting the island’s diverse challenges, advancements, and opportunities.
Unknown © Photography
News from Tenerife #9 ©
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