Tenerife Greenlights New Protected Area Campsite

Tenerife is planning a new camping and motorhome stopover area, which will be built on the old El Pinalito bottled water factory site in Vilaflor. This project is particularly important because it's located inside the Corona Forestal Natural Park and close to Teide National Park. Officials from the Cabildo (Tenerife's island government) say this sets a new standard for managing protected natural areas on the island.

Last Friday, the Cabildo de Tenerife's full council unanimously approved the transfer of camping service management for this area to the island's control. They also agreed to set up a committee. This committee will quickly prepare a full study looking at the legal, financial, and social aspects of different ways to manage the new facility.

The 7,020-square-meter plot of land used to be home to the El Pinalito factory, which closed in 2004. The Cabildo later took ownership of the site. In 2012, when the Corona Forestal Master Plan was approved, it was decided the site was suitable for accommodation, including a hostel and camping area.

Demolition of the old factory buildings, which covered 2,836 square meters of the plot, started last year. This work, costing 453,786.83 euros, finished in February. At the same time, a preliminary plan was ordered to outline how to turn the land into a camping and motorhome area.

This plan includes 35 pitches for both tents and motorhomes, spread across 4,800 square meters. The design features public services, a reception, green spaces, a cafeteria, and special points for motorhome waste disposal. It also plans for a solar energy system to make the facility self-sufficient for electricity.

Moving forward, the Cabildo will look at different ways to run this new facility. They are leaning towards a public works concession, meaning a specialized company would manage it. The aim is to put the project out to tender (invite bids) in the second half of this year.