Canary Islands Government Engages with EU on Tourism and Housing Policy
The Canary Islands government is actively working to strengthen its presence in European institutions through a series of meetings in Brussels, led by Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León and Director General Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. Their agenda focuses on showcasing the islands’ sustainability strategy in tourism and addressing housing issues, with an emphasis on the needs of outermost regions.
In their first meeting, De León and Rodríguez engaged with Stephan Moser, Director of the European Commission’s Housing Task Force. They discussed the new Sustainable Housing Law, aimed at regulating short-term rentals and ensuring that local communities can access affordable housing. “Our law addresses potential tensions before they arise,” De León stated. She stressed that the goal is not to restrict but to find a balance.
Rodríguez explained that the new legislation allows local authorities more control, enabling them to increase tourist housing usage by over 10% if they can demonstrate that residents have access to affordable pricing. Moser praised the initiative as “intelligent and strategic,” highlighting the need for solutions that support both tourism and local populations.
Another critical point of discussion was defining the concept of second homes, with De León advocating for clear indicators to clarify their actual use.
Addressing Mobility and Connectivity Challenges
Sustainability and territorial resilience were central themes in a meeting with Andreea Staicu from the Mobility and Transport Directorate. De León highlighted the unique mobility challenges faced by the fragmented territory of the Canary Islands, where transport relies heavily on ferries and flights.
A subsequent meeting with Barbara Brandtner from the Directorate General for Competition focused on enhancing connectivity through the EU’s Route Launch Fund. De León championed the continuation of this funding, which helps establish new connections between the Canary Islands and emerging markets. She cited La Palma and Fuerteventura as examples of how these funds have facilitated recovery and growth after natural disasters.
Rodríguez noted the importance of new routes to Eastern Europe, stressing that emerging companies are looking to expand in alternative markets due to limited competition with larger firms.
Institutional Cooperation
The Brussels agenda also included a session at Spain’s Permanent Representation to the EU, where they collaborated on the Canary housing regulation law with various regional ministers. The day concluded with a meeting at the European Parliament with MEP Borja Giménez, who outlined ongoing work for a new European housing framework.
These discussions are part of a broader strategy initiated by José Manuel Sanabria, Vice-Minister of Tourism, who recently presented the government’s actions to prioritise the needs of Canary residents within EU policies.
