The introduction of a new “eco-tax” could potentially impede the search efforts for missing British teen, Jay Slater.
Implemented by the Tenerife government, this new policy means visitors to certain areas will have to cough up an extra £24 per day.
This change, which affects the scenic rural mountains of Teno National Park where the 19 year old was last seen, comes into effect today (13 July).
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The family of the missing teenager has managed to raise over £52,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, funds intended to privately finance further search missions.
(Image: MEN Media)
These efforts were initiated after official Spanish search and rescue operations ceased at the end of June.
Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan has reached out to several mountaineers and rescue groups and is currently waiting for permission from Spanish authorities to proceed with these private expeditions.
Despite the lapse in time since his disappearance, Spanish police on the island have made it clear that the investigation into Jay’s whereabouts remains open.
The Mirror revealed that this new €28 tax will be applicable to all tourists visiting Masca which, thanks to its natural beauty, regularly becomes congested with visitors. The regular need for rescues has put a financial strain on the local authorities
Masca is the village where Jay lodged in an Airbnb. He had informed a friend of his 11-hour trek back to the southern part of the island, where he stayed.
Adjacent to the village lies the Masca ravine. It was shut down three years ago due to safety concerns linked to its dangerously steep climb down to the coast, a location that has been the scene of several fatalities and severe injuries in the past.
The implementation of the eco-tax is projected to significantly pare down visitor numbers from 100,000 annually, to a mere 44,450.
(Image: Simon Ashton)
Nonetheless, it holds potential to garner a staggering windfall of 2.6 million euros purposed towards protecting the area while ensuring improved security measures.
Access to Masca will be restricted to a maximum of 275 people daily, permissible only via coach or minibus, with private cars being a strict no-go.
The novel ‘ecotax’ initiative was birthed out of the growing outcry over the rampant “over-tourism” phenomenon sweeping through Tenerife. The controversy has mirrored itself across the Canary Islands and extended into other regions of Spain.
In partnership with Buenavista council, Tenerife’s government officially kickstarted their pay-to-visit scheme today.
This ground-breaking measure is set to extend its reach to other preserved areas like the rural parks of Anaga, Teno, and Mount Teide.
Pedro Millan, who serves as Tenerife’s director of the area of natural environment, sustainability, security and emergencies, declared that the ecotax “comes to regulate access and control in an orderly manner.”