Tourism leaders on a Canary Island beloved by Brits are demanding urgent interventions to improve the experience of visitors.
The Lanzarote Tourism Federation (FTL) has reportedly called on Lanzarote Cabildo’s Department of Transport to ensure there are adequate taxi services for both residents and visitors after a lack of available rides, particularly at the airport, raised concerns among local businesses.
Susana Pérez, president FTL and Asolan (Lanzarote’s Hotel & Apartment Owners Association), says it is critical holidaymakers get a good first impression after touching down on the island, Canarian Weekly reports.
“We cannot allow the lack of taxis to ruin the experience of tourists or inconvenience residents,” said Pérez.
“Imagine families with small children, waiting endlessly for a taxi after a three or four-hour flight. This is not the impression we want to give, especially at Christmas,” she added.
According to the outlet local businesses, especially in popular tourist town Yaiza, have reported numerous complaints over how difficult it is to get a taxi.
It’s said to be having a knock-on impact on restaurants and hotels, with customers cancelling reservations because of long waits or finding themselves unable to get transport at all.
These issues are reportedly clear to see during weekends and are only expected to worsen over the Christmas holidays, an important time for the local economy as it welcomes British sunseekers escaping the gloom – who make up half of the island’s arrivals.
Taxis are a key component of the tourism economy, allowing visitors to reach these businesses. As the festive season approaches, FTL has urged the Lanzarote Cabildo’s Department of Transport to immediately bring in measures to mitigate the risk of taxi services falling short.
One potential solution that has been proposed is introducing a joint taxi service.
This would see vehicles from all municipalities on the island allowed to operate at the airport, known as César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, Lanzarote Airport or Arrecife Airport, rather than just those from Arrecife, the administrative centre of the island, as the current legislation allows.
Pérez argued it would help meet the growing demand and would also be more sustainable, by allowing drivers from outside the area to avoid empty return trips and pick people up at the airport after dropping them off.
The Lanzarote Cabildo has been approached for comment via its email contact form.
The FTL has also reportedly written to Spanish Government requesting passport control staff at Lanzarote Airport the airport be increased to avoid congestion over Christmas.
Checks for children under 12 which are conducted manually rather than through automated systems have caused significant delays in the past, as per Canarian Weekly.
The Lanzarote Cabildo had previously contacted the Spanish government back in the summer requesting more staff to address delays.
The Spanish government’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has been approached via email for comment.
Aena, the state-owned firm that operates César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport has also been contacted via email.
