Tourism sector inspections to double
Private homes being let out as tourist accommodation will be checked
A NEW tourism inspection plan has been approved by the regional government in order to crack down on unauthorised business activities in the sector.
The plan for this year has been adapted to the difficult situation the sector is going through, explained director general for tourism Herick Campos. He said they had specifically taken into account requests from the sector that they focus on unlicensed providers of any activities which are covered by the law on tourism, leisure and hospitality.
This will involve more inspections of all these types of businesses, and checking that they are properly registered and comply with the legal requirements.
“This year we are going to double our efforts to inspect private homes being let out as tourist accommodation, but also to check tour guides and active tourism businesses, because this is what the sector has asked us for,” said Sr Campos. He noted that they will also put on information campaigns to make people aware of possible problems, assuring that their aim is not to issue fines, ‘especially not now, given the Covid-19 situation’.
“We will always try to make people aware, trying to contact businesses directly so that incidents which could be considered sufficient motive for a fine can be corrected and resolved without having to start disciplinary procedures,” assured the tourism chief.
A recent regional government decree regarding tourist accommodation will require the register of these homes to be checked and updated. Sr Campos said that currently there are more than 80,000 registered, of which around 50,000 are not being rented out. The new decree gives those homeowners who have not registered their property reference number (catastral) one year to do so or they will be removed from the register.