Can't believe it's been our last day here on Tenerife today before heading home tomorrow 😥. We've been looking at what might be alternatives to the dominant model of tourism here.
A big thank you to all the contributions from those on the island who've given us their time, provided expert opinions and inspired us with their passion for this special place. We've been honoured to share it with them for a few days. #localvoices@GeoTenerife@NTU_ARES
Our final host is in the process of reconstructing a historic granary to act as a community hub and a visitor attraction for tourists and residents alike - promoting locally produced food and products and celebrating the rich history of Tenerife and its people.
Tomorrow our students are going to explore what alternatives to the current model of tourism might look like. How can places that are important to Tinerfeños, like Puertito, be there for future generations? #Tenerife#geography#fieldwork#tourism
Around Puertito snakes a new fence and 360 degree cameras scan the landscape - both aimed at preventing determined protesters who are trying to stop the work whilst efforts to recognise the unique value of this landscape and the story it tells of Tenerife and its people.
Walking across the last parts of the southern coastline of Tenerife not to be developed for tourism gives a glimpse into its geological and cultural history. Lava flows and ignimbrite deposits tell of violent volcanic eruptions.
Our journey through this past brings us back to the present at Puertito de Adeje and its sheltered bay. Work has just started again on a tourism macroproject which has helped spark protests against the current tourism model on Tenerife.
Vintersol clinic is still here but surrounded by a conurbation that stretches through the 'golden mile' of Playa de Las Americas and through Costa Adeje to La Caleta, where we will be starting a walk tomorrow to Puertito de Adeje - soon to be the next area developed.
This afternoon its on to Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas to look at the hotspot for mass tourism on the island of #Tenerife Since the establishment of a health clinic in the 1960s tourism exploded with the opening of Tenerife South airport.
This morning we looked at beach modification for tourism and discussed its impacts. Tomorrow we'll be at a site being developed where the same is planned - bringing negative impacts to the biodiversity and probably efforts to limit or discourage access to a public beach.
This one of two sites students are exploring this week that have crystallised the recent protests across the Canary Islands. They're being introduced to concepts like the 'right to nature' and 'right to the island'.