Tenerife Launches €9.6 Million Strategic Plan to Revitalize Coastal Infrastructure

The Tenerife Island Council has approved the 'Tenerife and the Sea' 2026-2030 strategic plan, signaling a new approach to managing the island’s coastline. With a budget of 9.6 million euros, the plan aims to balance tourism with the protection of coastal ecosystems—a long-standing challenge for the Canary Islands.

The funding is a joint effort: the Island Council will provide 8.1 million euros, while local municipalities will contribute 1.5 million. Lope Afonso, Vice President and Minister of Tourism, explained that the investment is part of a strategy to spread tourism more evenly across the island, bringing improvements to areas that have historically received less attention.

Arico will be the primary focus of these efforts, with a major overhaul planned for its extensive coastline. The project includes repairing infrastructure at Charco del Porís and the local seawall, as well as restoring trails between Las Eras and Las Maretas. Improvements are also scheduled for several bathing areas, including La Sarnosa, Playa Grande, Charco de La Listada, and Caleta de La Jaca, alongside work near the old Punta de Abona Lighthouse and the Tajao seafront.

For Arico’s Mayor, Andrés Martínez, this plan addresses a long-standing request from local residents. The goal is to improve the experience for visitors while ensuring that coastal access points remain safe and functional for the local community.

Running through the end of the decade, the plan highlights the need to manage the coastline as both an economic asset and a public space. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on how well the council balances human activity with the preservation of Tenerife’s fragile coastal environment.