Tenerife introduces new ‘tax’ on UK tourists after Jay Slater disappearance

Tenerife is set to start charging tourists to visit a ravine where Jay Slater disappeared. The 19-year-old bricklayer’s apprentice went missing in the Canary Islands earlier this summer, vanishing in mid-June after leaving an Airbnb where he had returned after a night out with friends at a rave.

Authorities have imposed the first-ever ecotax and plan to expand the new fee to other beauty spots around the island. A new fee of 28 euros came into effect today for all tourists wishing to visit the cliff-top village of Masca.

Visitor numbers are expected to be cut from 100,000 a year to just 44,450, but will raise a windfall of €2.6 million to protect the space and ensure greater security. No more than 275 people a day will be allowed into the village, and only by bus or minibus, not in a private car.

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The introduction of this “eco-tax” is part of the Cabildo’s strategy to manage environmental impact and improve safety infrastructure for visitors to Masca. Dávila stressed that the funds raised will be used to improve safety measures, ensuring a safer experience for all visitors and minimizing the need for emergency interventions.

The Masca Ravine, known for its stunning natural beauty and challenging trails, attracts countless visitors each year. The new fees aim to balance tourism with sustainability, ensuring the area remains preserved and safe for future generations.

The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign tourists in 2023, a 13% increase from the previous year, according to official data. The tax will apply to visitors to Teide National Park, Anaga Rural Park and Teno Park, including the historic village of Masca, according to El Diario.

The island’s council, Cabildo Tenerife, said the new tax was necessary to protect the environment.