Teleférico Awarded €5.9M Altavista Refuge Contract

Teleférico del Pico del Teide was the only company to bid for the local government's contract to manage the Altavista refuge, located in Teide National Park. The contract was advertised last September, worth 5.9 million euros for an initial two years, with an option to extend for another four.

After reviewing their proposal, the Cabildo's (local government's) Natural Environment department, following the Contracting Board's advice, decided to award the contract to Teleférico. So, assuming no further issues in the administrative process, Teleférico del Pico del Teide will manage the Altavista refuge when it reopens.

The Cabildo's tender set maximum prices for overnight stays at the refuge. While companies could offer discounts, Teleférico did not propose any price reductions, according to the contract documents.

For the first year, the general price will be 71 euros. Residents of Tenerife will pay 29 euros, and members of hiking federations (Fedme or Fecamon) will pay 56.80 euros. These three rates are set to increase gradually over the next nine years.

Teleférico's bid includes hiring four wardens who can speak English, along with German or French. It also covers essential equipment like an automated external defibrillator (AED) and emergency thermal blankets. Modern communication services are also part of the plan, including fiber optic internet, a Starlink satellite connection, and an amplified 4G/5G mobile network.

The Altavista refuge, which can accommodate up to 49 people, has been closed since November 2019. The Cabildo is currently undertaking a major renovation of the building, costing around 1.8 million euros. This is due to its deteriorating condition and the need to meet new regulations. The upgrades include installing a solar power plant and an eco-friendly wastewater treatment system. The renovation work was expected to finish by the end of this year.