Tenerife gets green tourism award

The Tenerife Tourism Corporation has received the “AITO Affiliates Green Award 2011”, in recognition of its efforts in sustainable tourism

The Tenerife Tourism Corporation has received the “AITO Affiliates Green Award 2011”, in recognition of its efforts in sustainable tourism, at the AITO Anniversary and Awards dinner, held on 23rd November 2011 at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London. This latest of awards further cements Tenerife’s position as a leading destination in sustainability and responsible tourism.

Following the award announcement, Carlos Alonso, Minister for Tourism and Vice-President of the Tenerife Island Government said: “We are delighted to have been recognised with this prestigious award.”

“Despite its popularity with tourists, about half of Tenerife is covered in national parks and it is extremely important to us to protect both the land and the seabed of our beautiful island. We have a number of amazing initiatives that we are working on which will reflect our recognition of the importance of sustainability for Tenerife.” 

The Tenerife Island Government’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism has materialised in a series of developments that vary from new trails in natural areas, such as the new accessible “Path of Senses” in the Anaga Rural Park to new volcano-themed routes set to launch in 2012. 

The world’s first-ever village of carbon-free homes, launched in 2010 by ITER (Institute for Technology and Renewable Energy), was created to investigate the use of natural energy applied to architecture and to provide an eco-friendly model home that can be replicated in other parts of the world.

With over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the three biggest Solar Photovoltaic Plants in the world, constant winds, and a prime position in the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife hopes to generate more than half of the island’s energy through natural energy resources in the future.

Other significant developments include a pedestrian walkway and bike lane (currently under construction), connecting two of the island’s most popular resorts a tram link between the capital city, Santa Cruz, and La Laguna, and the use of natural gas to power vehicles.

The local government has also continuously backed projects such as the restoration of the seabed in Adeje, by diving company Ocean Dreams Factory, which now welcomes visitors to join the conservation venture and swim with various species. In addition, the marine-themed activities will be complemented in the near future by a new whale research and interpretation centre.

As well as attempting to minimise the environmental impact of tourism, Tenerife is striving to become a more sustainable destination, through many other initiatives, including the protection of whales and dolphins, the conservation of traditions and local customs via food festivals, exhibits and activities, and by supporting local businesses on the island.

This latest award comes on the back of other recent wins in sustainable tourism, including Siam Park and Ocean Dreams Factory as runners up in the Globe Category and Overseas Category respectively, at the British Guild of Travel Writers Tourism Awards 2011, and a variety of hotel awards by BIOSPHERE and EMAS. Furthermore, half of the 26 of the hotels currently subscribed to the Travelife Sustainability System have received the scheme’s Gold Award and are featured in greentraveller.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Get your copy at a special offer price: HERE