Local Group Calls for Tourism Firms to Contribute to Public Path Maintenance
The Municipal Group En Marcha has proposed a motion to be debated at the upcoming La Oliva council meeting on Wednesday, 5 August. The motion aims to require companies organising quad, buggy, and similar tours to contribute financially to the maintenance of the public paths they use.
The proposal suggests that the council begin legal, technical, and financial studies needed to create a bylaw imposing a fee for the special, intensive, and profitable use of municipal roads.
En Marcha argues that these businesses profit from the repeated use of public paths, while the associated costs for wear and tear, repairs, cleaning, and maintenance are borne by taxpayers through the municipal budget.
“The goal is not to hinder this economic activity, but to regulate it and ensure that those profiting privately from public assets also contribute to their upkeep,” said Fiamma Guerra, spokesperson for the group.
The motion highlights that the frequent passage of quad and buggy caravans can lead to accelerated deterioration of the roads, creating potholes and erosion while damaging drainage systems.
En Marcha points out an inequality where other local enterprises must pay for public space usage. For instance, a restaurant with outdoor seating needs permission and must pay a fee, yet tour operators who use extensive stretches of municipal paths are not making similar contributions.
“It doesn’t seem fair that a small hospitality business pays for occupying a few metres of public space, while others exploit public roads for kilometres without contributing to their maintenance,” Guerra added.
Additionally, the motion calls on the Fuerteventura Cabildo to enforce the island-wide regulation established in 2019 to govern quad and buggy circulation. This regulation outlines an official route network, permission systems, vehicle caps, time limits, identification requirements, mandatory insurance, and penalties for non-compliance.
En Marcha believes that having a regulation is not enough; real enforcement through regular inspections and ground monitoring is needed.
The motion requests that the Cabildo implement a dedicated monitoring plan in La Oliva to ensure firms possess the necessary permits, that vehicles used match those declared, and that designated times and routes are followed without venturing onto unauthorised paths.
“The protection of our territory cannot rely solely on the goodwill of businesses. Clear regulations, adequate oversight, penalties for violations, and a fair financial contribution to public asset wear and tear are essential,” concluded Fiamma Guerra.
