Tenerife’s El Tablado Faces Identity Crisis as Rural Services Decline
The coastal village of El Tablado in Tenerife is struggling to maintain its identity as it transitions into an underserviced "dormitory town" due to a lack of government support for rural infrastructure.
El Tablado, a small coastal village in Güímar, Tenerife, serves as a clear example of the struggles facing rural communities in the modern age. A recent report from Diario de Avisos highlights how this community of 250 people has shifted from a traditional fishing village to a "dormitory town"—a place where people live but lack the basic services needed to thrive.
The village’s original economy, built on artisanal fishing and trade between the coast and the highlands, has all but disappeared. With no younger generation stepping in to take over these traditional roles, local businesses have closed, leaving residents entirely dependent on cars to reach essential services like healthcare in nearby El Escobonal. This reflects a broader issue across the Canary Islands: a lack of specific support or tax incentives for low-density areas, which residents say is driving people away.
There is a growing tension between the village’s appeal as a quiet place to live and its crumbling infrastructure. Residents feel their history is being erased—pointing to the demolition of their old chapel—while the area struggles to balance its peaceful winters with the overcrowding that occurs during the summer holidays.
For years, locals have called for the government to recognize the unique needs of the Agache coastline. They argue that applying the same administrative rules to every area, regardless of its specific situation, is damaging the community. While the people of El Tablado are resilient, they are at a crossroads. Without a real strategy to revitalize the local economy, the village risks losing its identity entirely, leaving residents to choose between the beauty of their natural surroundings and the reality of a life without basic support.