The Canary Islands government is preparing to implement a decree that will regulate campsites, camping activities, campervans, and other unique holiday accommodations for the first time.
This move comes as the region's Parliament is in the process of finalising a new law governing holiday rentals across the archipelago.
If approved, the decree will mark the first time the Canary Islands have established a legal framework for this growing sector. Regional Minister for Tourism, Jéssica de León, has confirmed that her department is actively working alongside industry representatives to incorporate their input into the draft regulation, which is expected to be released for public consultation in the next few weeks.
“This regulation responds to a long-standing need in our community. Since the 1995 Tourism Law, there has been no official reference to this activity, despite its firm establishment in the Canary Islands,” De León stated during a parliamentary session yesterday (Wednesday).
She emphasised that the objective is to officially recognise camping as a "tourist activity of interest for the Canary Islands" while ensuring clear standards of quality, designated transit areas, and authorised overnight stays.
The proposed regulation aims to improve the quality of existing camping and caravan facilities while encouraging the development of new infrastructure, all while safeguarding the islands' natural and environmental resources. The decree also seeks to promote entrepreneurship, enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector, and diversify the region’s accommodation offerings.
“We believe in this form of tourism, which has gone unrecognised for over 30 years. As industry representatives say, they are not the problem, they are the solution. They want clear regulations, and they will have them,” De León concluded.
