The Canary Islands government is finalizing the first specific regulations for outdoor tourist accommodation, closing a legal void that has lasted more than three decades.
The regional government expects the regulation to take effect before Sept. 15, once it clears the Advisory Council’s review and receives final approval from the Governing Council.
The rules will govern motorhome and camping activities throughout the archipelago, according to an article by AtlanticoHoy.
“Since the Tourism Law of 1995, a modality that has experienced enormous exponential growth had not been regulated in the Canary Islands,” said Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Martínez, director general of Planning, Training and Tourism Promotion for the Government of the Canary Islands, who called the new regulation “a before and after” for the sector.
“This is an improvement for motorhome users in general,” Rodríguez added.
The government acknowledges it lacks official data on the number of existing facilities precisely because no regulatory framework existed.
Rodríguez said users can reach tens of thousands during peak holiday seasons such as summer and Easter, and that industry associations currently hold the most accurate information on the scale of the phenomenon.
José Domingo Rodríguez, secretary of the Canary Islands Association of Approved Motorhomes and Campers (ACAT), told local media the regulation was “absolutely necessary” to correct a situation that was preventing new infrastructure from being developed.
He said the lack of rules made it difficult for rural landowners to promote motorhome facilities, since the activity was not recognized under land legislation.
“There are a few private campsites on some islands, but they are few and far between,” José Domingo said.
ACAT was deeply involved in drafting the regulations. Of the initial 55 pages of the first draft, 33 were contributions from the association, José Domingo noted.
Rodríguez praised the consensus among all parties involved, saying, “We are very grateful for the spirit of collaboration, the contributions made, and the consensus we have reached. It’s fair to say it’s 99% agreed upon.”
The Canary Islands’ move ends a regulatory gap that effectively capped investment in motorhome tourism infrastructure for a generation.
Without a recognized legal framework, rural landowners could not develop campsites, service points or dedicated motorhome lots — even as demand grew exponentially.