£40 Million Cruise Terminal Sparks New Park Plans in Las Palmas
The head of the Port Authority in Las Palmas recently unveiled plans for a new public park at the Port of La Luz, following an investment of £40 million in what is touted as Europe’s largest cruise terminal. In a TikTok video, Calzada announced the park will span 11,000 square metres, featuring playgrounds, outdoor sports areas, and over 100 trees. She stated it would be ready in three months, with an additional 14,000 square metres of green space to follow.
This announcement comes amidst contrasting developments in Fuerteventura, where a new facility for cruise tourism—a temporary tent—was inaugurated at a cost of £1.2 million, despite already existing structures.
Lanzarote, on the other hand, saw a modest cruise terminal built for £3.2 million.
In 2025, Las Palmas is projected to welcome two million cruise passengers, compared to 451,000 in Fuerteventura. Critics question the justification for spending 40 times more on Las Palmas, especially given the Port Authority’s responsibility for overseeing all ports in the province, not just one.
While Calzada promotes new leisure projects for Gran Canaria, concerns are being raised in Fuerteventura about the lack of facilities, including inadequate docking for fishing boats. Many are calling for a new port authority to better serve the eastern islands.
As Puerto del Rosario continues to neglect its coastal potential, Calzada’s comments about needing to understand local import preferences seem out of touch, particularly as discussions regarding routes between Agadir and Las Palmas progress.
