The Ayuntamiento of Yaiza have confirmed that the campsite situated on the beach at Papagayo in Playa Blanca will not open for use this summer.
With only days before the children break up from school for the summer, we would normally be publishing details of the campsite opening, unfortunately not so for 2013. The campsite did not open at Easter due to the revelation that the facilities had not been granted an opening licence and required safety measures to be installed before further use.
Officially there is no place for any caravans to enjoy camping on the island. Unofficial campsites in places such as Arrieta and Playa Quemada have been cleared leaving just the beach campsite in La Graciosa, which continues to be available to use free of charge for campers to erect tents on.
Earlier this year the Asociación de Campistas y Caravanistas submitted a detailed budget to the Cabildo and Ayuntamiento of Yaiza showing that the campsite could not only break even on the running costs but also make a profit based on 75% occupancy. Their report calculated that 185 caravans each occupying a stand of 30m2 at 7 euros per day would generate revenue of 38,850 euros per month or 194,250 euros over five months for Easter and the Summer period. A company specialising in the administration of land for campsite associations estimated the cost of personnel for reception, maintenance and security plus the rental and fuel for a generator.
The Association of Campers & Caravaners have also suggested opening the campsite with minimum services so that they provide their own generators for electric, and a truck can deliver water and remove waste, but the answer was no.
The caravanners are now staging a protest for 5 successive Saturdays starting from the 22nd June. The protestors will gather outside the Cabildo de Lanzarote at 11:00 then drive in convoy to Playa Blanca passing through the holiday resort to the campsite at Papagayo.
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