13 January 2025
Cabildo Vice President Lope Afonso: ‘We are leading the regeneration of Tenerife’s tourist spaces, in collaboration with the municipalities, to ensure the island remains a benchmark for a quality destination.’
The work involves the improvement and refurbishment of the seafront between Plaza de Unterhaching and Puerto Colón (Phase 1) in Adeje, and the renovation of the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas in Arona.
The Tenerife Cabildo is investing more than €6.5 million in the improvement and refurbishment of the seafront between Plaza de Unterhaching and Puerto Colón (Phase 1) in Adeje, and in the renovation of the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas in Arona, as announced today, Monday 13 January, by Tenerife Cabildo Vice President and Tourism Councillor, Lope Afonso. The Councillor for Commerce and Business Support, KrystenMartín, joined the Vice President on the visit to assess the significant boost these improvements will provide to commercial activity in both municipalities.
Afonso commented, “We are leading the regeneration of Tenerife’s tourist spaces in collaboration with the town halls. We are starting the year by presenting the main projects from the Insular Strategy and Tourism Regeneration Programme (PIER) 2024-2027 in both Adeje and Arona. These are areas in need of renewal and modernisation, using sustainability criteria that promote pedestrian mobility, updated urban furniture, and shaded areas, making them more comfortable and liveable, as well as enjoyable for residents. Our aim is for these public tourist spaces to be as competitive as possible, which will also attract private investment in the surrounding areas, improving the perception of quality. This, in turn, is a tool to attract higher spending at the destination and increase the profitability of tourism activities.”
Afonso highlighted that “the projects are designed to be comprehensive, addressing key areas within the urban layout of the municipalities. PIER is a key document for renewing the image and offerings of these municipalities on the island. We are committed to driving the regeneration of Tenerife’s tourist spaces.”
Adeje mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, stated, “collaboration between administrations is essential to ensure that services and infrastructure meet the expectations of the public. We thank the Cabildo and Lope Afonso for recognising our municipality’s needs, and we hope to see these plans come to fruition through agreements like those we have already achieved in tourism and infrastructure, which fall under the Vice President’s remit.
“Our goal is to continue improving the municipality, firstly for its residents, while also addressing the demands of visitors and the main sector underpinning our economy. We have visited key projects such as the improvement of the seafront between Plaza de Unterhaching and Puerto Colón, which is part of the Insular Strategy and Tourism Regeneration Programme (PIER), and we have also discussed future matters of great interest to all.”
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes, stated, “this project for the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas will mark a ‘before and after’ for the destination and for Arona, not only in terms of quality but also in the broader strategy to renovate the surrounding area, benefitting both visitors and residents. It will revitalise the south of the island and Tenerife as a whole, as Arona is one of its main attractions. We will continue with improvements in Los Cristianos, the tourism hub of the municipality and we will enhance the area, its gardens, and accessibility, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly development. It is a major step forward for the Las Vistas area.”
Projects in Arona and Adeje
Afonso explained that the renovation of the promenade at Playa de Las Vistas aims to upgrade the most iconic seafront in the tourist hub of Los Cristianos (Arona) by reorganising and widening the promenade, creating a more direct connection with the beach. The project includes a complete overhaul of the paving, urban furniture, and landscaping, alongside improvements to all installations. The cost of this work is €3,818,630.
In Adeje, improvements and refurbishments are being carried out on the seafront between Plaza de Unterhaching and Puerto Colón (Phase 1). According to Afonso, this involves renovating a promenade along Adeje’s coastline, an area with significant tourist activity and numerous hotels and leisure infrastructures. The aim is to address the promenade’s fragmentation by providing continuity and ensuring clear pedestrian routes and access to the sea. The project also includes creating new leisure areas with shade and vegetation, using appropriate materials and modern furniture, while upgrading all installations. The cost of this project is €3,347,977.
The Tenerife Cabildo’s governing body approved the Insular Strategy and Tourism Regeneration Programme (PIER) 2024-2027 on 18 December 2024, with an initial investment of €18 million. This programme includes eight significant projects.
Afonso added that the plan encompasses five municipalities: “Arona, Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz, Santiago del Teide, and San Miguel de Abona, which collectively account for 120,970 accommodation places, over 90% of the island’s beds, and the highest density of tourism activity, leading to greater wear and tear on these areas. The Cabildo is committed to enhancing the quality of these spaces, maintaining their appeal as tourist destinations, and improving the current state of some of their surroundings.”