Tourism Industry Calls for Regulation of Motorhomes

Ashotel requests a “common” regulatory framework in the Canary Islands to facilitate the regulation of motorhome activity.

The Hotel and Non‑Hotel Association (Ashotel) has sent a letter to the Canary Islands Federation of Municipalities (Fecam) urging the creation of a unified set of rules that would allow all municipalities to regulate motorhome activity with coherent criteria.

Proposed Criteria

Ashotel outlines several key points it believes should be included:

• Limitations on parking and the duration of motorhome stays on public roads.
• Prioritization of road use for regular traffic, public transport, emergency services, and economic activities.
• A clear distinction between ordinary parking and uses that involve camping, overnight stays, or intensive occupation of public space.
• Planning of dedicated, regulated areas for motorhomes, located away from high‑capacity, structurally critical roads, whenever appropriate.
• Dialogue with business associations and motorhome user groups to develop mutually beneficial solutions that address the current situation.

Regional Regulation

Ashotel notes that the regional government plans to publish, in 2026, a regulation governing outdoor tourist accommodation establishments, primarily focusing on campgrounds where motorhomes are allowed to camp. However, the association warns that the existing number of such facilities in the Canary Islands is “clearly insufficient” for the current demand.

In this context, Ashotel sees great value in identifying minimally equipped zones within the main municipalities (lower‑priority areas) where motorhomes could access necessary services, which would also help stimulate local commerce.

“The development of common guidelines or a model ordinance would enable municipalities to act with greater legal certainty, avoid comparative grievances between territories, and provide a balanced response that reconciles the right to mobility, tourism activity, and the protection of public space,” the association adds.

Ashotel further recommends that Fecam facilitate a technical‑legal analysis and consensus space to help Canary Islands municipalities adopt coordinated and effective solutions.

The hotel sector has also offered to collaborate and participate in debate tables that may be organized for this purpose and requests that participation be extended to legally established motorhome associations, such as ACAT, whose expertise could be highly useful for drafting the ordinances.