Tenerife is set to welcome a new tourist attraction. The island’s council plans to build a unique regenerative Underwater Garden park in the coastal area of Guía de Isora. The initiative is declared of “insular interest” by the island’s council.
The council aims to provide visitors with a blend of leisure, sport, science, and art while focusing on marine regeneration and sustainability. The Director of Strategic Projects, Alicia Leirachá, emphasised that the park will be an example of sustainable tourism, addressing social, environmental, and economic concerns. The park is designed to connect visitors with nature. Therefore, it will offer experiences that encourage the conservation of the island’s marine ecosystems. It also underscores the need for responsible tourism practices as part of Tenerife’s broader development goals.
A delicate ecosystem
The chosen site is part of a Special Conservation Area (ZEC), home to endangered species such as the bottlenose dolphin and loggerhead turtle. Known as the “Serengeti of Pilot Whales,” the region houses a rich marine biodiversity, including seabirds, dolphins, and rare invertebrates. This makes conservation a priority, with the project subject to environmental impact assessments.
Concerns
While the project promises economic benefits, it also raises concerns among environmental groups about potential impacts on the fragile ecosystem. Previous plans, such as the controversial Fonsalía Port, have been shelved due to environmental worries, reminding stakeholders of the balance between tourism and conservation. Tenerife’s council aims to finalise the project’s approval before the end of the current mandate.
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