A former Lanzarote tourism chief has raised serious concerns over financial mismanagement within the Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo (CACT). Benjamín Perdomo, an ex-councillor for the PSOE, highlighted issues including inflated contracts and reduced revenue.
Perdomo particularly criticized the payment of €3.7 million to Cumbre 8, a company established just last October, questioning the value it has brought to the island. He expressed dismay over current management practices, pointing out that employee morale has plummeted due to what he described as excessive spending and poor administration under Ángel Vázquez.
The former councillor noted stark discrepancies in the organisation’s financial status, revealing that revenue has soared to €51 million, but profits have slumped to just under €1 million, compared to €4.5 million from a previous income of €31 million. He emphasized that the hospitality sector is suffering unprecedented losses, with reports of daily earnings from certain restaurants collapsing from nearly €10,000 to just €1,500.
Additionally, Perdomo questioned the value of a €150,000 consultancy contract aimed at improving retail performance, noting that for the first time in history, retail revenue at the Centros has dropped. He lamented the lack of accountability from the employee committee and called for greater transparency regarding financial decisions.
Perdomo’s comments reflect widespread anxiety among staff, as management continues to impose measures perceived as detrimental to both operations and employee wellbeing.
