Canary Islands Government Launches Initiative to Improve Tourist Safety Communication

The Canary Islands government is taking decisive action to enhance communication regarding weather-related risks for tourists visiting the archipelago. This initiative comes in light of recent tragedies that have raised concerns about the safety of visitors to the islands.

Government’s Proactive Measures Following Tragic Incidents

During a parliamentary session held on December 16, 2023, Emergencies Chief Manuel Miranda underscored the pressing need for improved information dissemination for tourists. This announcement follows a heartbreaking incident in which four individuals drowned in a natural pool located in Santiago del Teide. Tragically, three of the victims lost their lives at the scene, while one succumbed to injuries later in the hospital. Miranda’s remarks highlighted the alarming statistic that this year alone has seen 60 fatalities related to tourist safety incidents, emphasizing the critical nature of the issue at hand.

In response to these tragic events, the Ministries of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, and Tourism and Employment are collaborating to explore innovative methods for effectively communicating weather alerts to visitors. A technical meeting was convened last Friday, led by Miranda and Jéssica de León, the head of the Tourism department, to discuss strategies aimed at enhancing safety communications for tourists.

Commitment to Establishing Reliable Communication Channels

Miranda expressed the government’s commitment to establishing stable communication channels that will directly inform the approximately 270,000 tourists who visit the islands each week. He stated, “We need to establish stable communication channels, with the involvement of the sector, which we know is fully committed to this goal.” This commitment reflects a broader understanding of the importance of timely and accurate information in ensuring the safety of visitors.

To facilitate this initiative, the government plans to communicate alerts and pre-alerts not only to emergency services but also directly to tourists themselves. This proactive approach is part of a larger effort to foster a culture of self-protection and individual responsibility among visitors, encouraging them to stay informed and prepared during their stay.

De León further elaborated on her department’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and provide essential information to both tourists and residents. The online portal holaislascanarias.com serves as a valuable resource, offering educational materials in 15 different languages, along with safety recommendations tailored to various risk situations, such as marine currents and child safety. This multilingual approach ensures that crucial information is accessible to a diverse range of visitors.

Strategic Plans for Future Risk Communication

The taskforce’s initial phase will concentrate on creating shared information spaces and simplifying the messages communicated to tourists. This includes generating an updated distribution list in collaboration with tourism operators, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned in their efforts to enhance safety communication. In the subsequent phase, the group will analyze how to design protocols that guarantee alerts are communicated clearly and in multiple languages, catering to the diverse tourist demographic.

Miranda also emphasized the significance of continuing educational campaigns aimed at the local population, particularly young people, to help them understand the dynamics of the sea and its tides. These educational initiatives are vital for fostering a community that is well-informed about potential hazards. Discussions are already underway regarding the development of specific communication protocols tailored for tourist areas, as well as integrating self-protection plans within these settings to ensure that both locals and visitors are equipped to respond effectively to emergencies.

Overall, the Canary Islands government is taking proactive measures to enhance the safety of tourists by improving communication regarding potential risks. By prioritizing the dissemination of critical information and fostering a culture of awareness, the government aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure that visitors can enjoy their time in the islands with greater peace of mind.

Key points

• The Canary Islands government is forming a taskforce to improve communication of weather-related risks to tourists.
• Emergencies Chief Manuel Miranda reported 60 fatalities this year related to tourist safety incidents.
• A recent drowning incident in Santiago del Teide prompted the need for enhanced safety communication.
• The government aims to directly inform 270,000 weekly tourists about alerts and pre-alerts.
• The portal holaislascanarias.com provides safety information in 15 languages.
• Future plans include simplifying messages and creating clear communication protocols for tourists.
• Educational campaigns targeting local youth will focus on understanding sea dynamics.