Loro Parque Group Demands Urgent Action Over Persistent Tenerife Beach Closures

The Loro Parque Group has publicly called on authorities to take action regarding the growing number of beach closures across Tenerife. The group argues that frequent closures during the summer—driven by health concerns and safety risks—show that officials are failing to properly manage the island's coastline.

This issue goes beyond simple maintenance; it highlights a conflict between public safety and the need to preserve a vital economic and social resource. Cybell Kiessling, director of the Loro Parque Group, warns that these long-term restrictions hurt the quality of life for residents and damage the reputation of a destination that relies heavily on its beaches.

The reasons for these closures are varied and long-standing. Water quality issues, such as the recent detection of E. coli at El Médano beach, remain a concern. However, the risk of landslides is a more persistent problem. Currently, seven areas are closed due to unstable terrain or unsafe access, including Los Patos, Benijo, Las Gaviotas, La Consolación, Los Barqueros, Santo Domingo, and the Tabaiba tidal pool.

While local councils have been extremely cautious since a fatal 2009 landslide in Los Guíos, critics argue that this "safety-first" approach has turned into administrative paralysis.

The beach at Santo Domingo in La Guancha serves as a prime example. Despite agreements made in 2018 and the transfer of coastal management to the Canary Islands government in 2023, the beach has remained closed since 2010. The lack of clear plans or deadlines has turned temporary safety measures into permanent closures. The Loro Parque Group maintains that this gap in governance leaves residents without access to their coast and requires urgent, prioritized intervention.