SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 2nd Sept. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Cabildo, through Tenerife Tourism, has launched the sixth edition of ‘Tenerife is Yours’, a tourism awareness initiative aimed at vulnerable groups, including the elderly, volunteers, and non-governmental organisations, ensuring they can enjoy the island’s attractions free of charge.

The programme includes around 60 routes and tourist activities to run until April 2026, with participation expected from approximately 600 individuals, joining the nearly 2,500 who have participated since the campaign began in 2020.

This initiative collaborates with the Social Action department of the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Environmental Volunteering department of Tenerife.

The Vice-President and Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo, Lope Afonso, stated that the campaign aims to demonstrate that the island “should be enjoyed and known by all”.

Afonso added that “it is an accessible and direct tool to learn about our natural heritage, culture, history, traditions, ethnography, and the tourism sector’s activities; it is a transversal programme, and therefore, the involvement of specialised companies is essential, ensuring that Tenerife belongs to everyone and is for everyone.”

The Councillor for Social Action, Águeda Fumero, expressed gratitude to the participating entities for their contribution towards creating a more supportive island.

Fumero highlighted “Vice-President Lope Afonso’s commitment in his role as Tourism Councillor to develop a coordinated and cross-functional approach, involving not only Social Action and Tourism but also various entities, businesses, and professionals in the tourism sector.”

Fumero also emphasised “the importance of raising awareness regarding inclusion”, asserting that “Tenerife is a privileged tourist destination, but also one committed to universal accessibility and effective inclusion.”

Finally, the councillor remarked that “under the umbrella of Islénior, ‘Tenerife is Yours’ aids in achieving our goal of ensuring active ageing.”

According to the Chief Executive of Tenerife Tourism, Dimple Melwani, the main objective of this initiative is to provide the local population with the opportunity to rediscover and appreciate some of the island’s points of interest through tourism activities such as cultural routes, hiking, and other nature-based activities guided by professionals from the tourism sector (APIT) and companies adhering to sustainability charters.

For Melwani, a key pillar of this proposal is to promote knowledge and integration of the commercial and gastronomic fabric of the visited areas, thereby encouraging local consumption, all tied to cultural values, enhancing local production such as crafts and gastronomy, and fostering connections with the territory and landscape while always highlighting the importance of its conservation.

In the words of the Chief Executive of Tourism, this initiative is part of the sustainability strategy of Tenerife Tourism, aiming to promote a model of responsible tourism that respects the environment and aligns with the island’s identity.

‘Tenerife is Yours’ includes participating tourism companies that adhere to Tenerife’s tourism sustainability charters (such as the Charter for Sustainability and Excellence in Nature Activities and the Charter for Sustainability in Whale Watching), along with the Professional Association of Tourist Guides (APIT Tenerife).

The campaign is integrated into the Sustainability and Tourism Action Plan of Tenerife Tourism, particularly focusing on tourism awareness and knowledge of natural and cultural values, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, as well as the commitment to achieving Biosphere sustainable tourism certification.

Activities and Routes

The activities offered range from tours of historic centres such as Garachico, La Orotava, La Laguna, Güímar, Puerto de la Cruz, or villages in the northern part of the island, to scenic routes across the Teno Massif, Anaga, or El Teide.

Participants can also engage in diverse themed tours, including a route focusing on the potato product, a theatrical route in La Zarza (Fasnia) to learn about past customs and lifestyles, or a stroll through the Botanical Garden of La Orotava.

Additionally, the programme includes activities such as diving baptisms, a tour to discover Tenerife’s agricultural products, hiking in the Special Natural Reserve of Malpaís de Güímar, whale watching, stargazing, or an experience where participants learn about the ‘Gest of 25th July’ in Santa Cruz.

All activities, primarily conducted in groups of 15 to 20 people, aim to promote inclusion by fostering knowledge of the local commercial and hospitality landscape, thereby enhancing local consumption based on cultural values and the revaluation of local production, while reinforcing ties with the territory, landscape, and the importance of its conservation.

Last Edition: Nearly 1,000 Participants

In the last edition of ‘Tenerife is Yours’, which began at the end of last year and concluded last July, a total of 58 activities were developed, including guided cultural routes, active tourism activities, and whale watching.

Almost 900 people from across the island participated, engaging through associations for the elderly and social inclusion, alongside various disability and health-focused organisations, as well as several volunteering entities.