Tenerife Christmas Party Costs €523k, Equalling Four Social Homes, Critics Say

The Tenerife Island Council's Christmas party will cost €523,364 this year, an increase of €90,000 – almost 25% – compared to last year's cost of just over €430,000. The initial budget for the tender was €560,000.

The Socialist opposition (PSOE) has strongly criticized this increase for the Christmas event. According to councilor Nauzet Gugliotta, this extra expense is equivalent to the cost of four social housing units. He also criticized the ruling parties, CC and PP, for this spending while limiting the increase for food distribution charities to the inflation rate (CPI).

Gugliotta pointed out that the island's Presidency department awarded the contract for the Santa Cruz Christmas party "without a selection process" to Encaro Factory SL. This is the same company that organized the event last year, and its director, Enrique Camacho, previously managed the Santa Cruz Carnival Queen election gala. The contract document includes an option to extend the agreement for another year.

However, the PSOE believes that the process used this time had many limitations, making it difficult for other companies to compete. As proof, the socialists noted that only Encaro Factory SL participated in the tender called by the Council, and the company will once again organize both the events and the decoration for what was known as 'Christmas Illusions' last year.

The socialist councilor highlighted that "last year, Rosa Dávila's 'little train' [referring to a main attraction of the mini-fair] cost all Tenerife residents over €400,000. This year, an additional €90,000 is allocated." He contrasted last year's direct and urgent contract award with this year's "hastily put out to tender through a dubious procedure," which he believes prevented talented local businesses from submitting proposals.

The Socialist Group considers this an "absolutely unnecessary and unjustified expense on an Island with so many needs." They argue that "the Tenerife Island Council is not here to hold parties anywhere," but "to provide support to those who need it most" and "to municipalities with fewer economic resources." In their view, the Council "is and should be there to advance a territory of this size."

The PSOE councilor estimates that "half a million euros could mean four affordable social rental homes," but instead, the money is being allocated to "a totally unjustified Christmas show." For the socialists, it represents "yet another whim of a president who thinks more about self-promotion than about governing this Island." Gugliotta insisted on rejecting the island government's actions, stating that "from the Socialist Party, we condemn this type of action and demand that they get serious, get their act together, and dedicate their resources to what Tenerife truly needs." This, he explained, means "clearing traffic jams on the highways, protecting our natural environment, and supporting the most vulnerable and dependent people."

The main opposition political group in the Council also expressed its displeasure at the rejection of its proposal to increase aid to charities that distribute food and basic products to those in need by at least the CPI, a measure requested by NGOs. Despite the unfavorable vote from CC and PP on the motion, this increase is planned for next year's subsidy. The socialists believe that with the half a million euros for the Christmas party, the amount of that contribution could be significantly increased because "we all go to the supermarket and know that essential products have risen by more than six times the CPI," Gugliotta pointed out.

The councilor reflected that "entities are finding it very difficult to buy basic foodstuffs, but there is money for these types of events when it should be going to important things." He translated the €500,000 into the possibility of designing and building "four public housing units" with "an average investment of at least €100,000 each." In contrast, "that money goes to a 'train' in an event that lasts only a few days."

The event's contract specifies the need for an original creative project, linked to performing arts, music, and spectacle. This may include a Christmas-themed stage in the Council square, featuring music, costumes, technological audiovisual support like screens and decorations, or other Christmas-related activities. The contract covers the creation, design, artistic and technical production services, as well as the execution of the entire project.

In the decree she signed on August 14 to contract this party "for justified urgent reasons," the president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, explained the decision. She cited the "convenience and necessity, one more year, of developing activities for Christmas 2025 not only inside the island palace, but also in the Council square." The reason, she stated, was "to bring the celebration closer to the people of Tenerife." For this, it was necessary to consider "new technical resources that can allow maximum utilization of available spaces." The objective was to adapt the party "to a current format, along with Christmas decoration, music, and other activities for the enjoyment of families and the general public," so that it would be "novel and very attractive for all who visit the square."