Tenerife Council President Rosa Dávila Outlines Progress on Infrastructure and Employment
Tenerife Island Council President Rosa Dávila is prioritizing infrastructure, mobility, and sustainable growth as she marks over a year in office and prepares for a 2027 re-election bid.
A little over a year after taking office on July 3, 2023, Tenerife Island Council President Rosa Dávila has focused her administration on upgrading island infrastructure and managing the challenges of a growing population. In a recent interview, Dávila emphasized that her government is prioritizing the labor market, traffic, and environmental sustainability, while also addressing the need to limit further growth.
Economically, the Council reports a significant drop in youth unemployment, which has fallen from 33% to 13%. Dávila credits this to the Council’s 1.278-billion-euro budget rather than national trends, though she acknowledges that low wages and job quality remain ongoing issues. Housing is another major priority; despite not having direct authority over the sector, the Council has committed 180 million euros to build 1,500 new homes, though these will not be ready until after the current term ends.
Improving mobility has been a cornerstone of Dávila’s agenda. Her administration has introduced 20 specific measures, including adding 388 new buses to the fleet and redesigning the Padre Anchieta junction to better handle peak-hour traffic. These efforts have helped boost bus usage among university students to 71%.
Regarding environmental concerns, Dávila dismissed claims of a systemic crisis involving coastal sewage, describing recent beach closures as isolated incidents. She pointed to a 500-million-euro investment in sanitation, noting that 86% of wastewater is now treated, a figure expected to rise to 97% once the new metropolitan plant opens. To manage overcrowding, the Council is also limiting access to protected areas like Masca and Teide National Park, moving toward a shuttle-based system to cut visitor numbers in half.
Looking ahead, Dávila confirmed she will seek re-election in 2027. She remains committed to her current governing partnership with the Popular Party but is open to working with other groups, such as Drago Canarias, if they share her goals of protecting the island’s resources and social rights. She also expressed support for a tourist tax to help fund environmental and territorial restoration.