Yoné Caraballo, the party's candidate for the Cabildo, says he would put the overnight tax to the Canary Islands Parliament after the elections and wants support from across the political spectrum. The money would go on housing, transport, cleaning, the environment, water, public services and young people.
The party also wants a separate charge for cruise passengers arriving in Arrecife. Sheila Guillén, its spokesperson in the capital, has proposed €5 a head for ships staying less than 12 hours and €2.50 a head for longer stays. With around 700,000 cruise passengers expected this year, that could raise up to €3.5 million, rising to €4.5 million if numbers reach 900,000.
That money would go into a fund to help young people leave home, with a target of 108 to 120 homes within four years. The Canary Islands have the lowest rate in the EU of young people living independently, at 14.1 per cent, and 36 per cent of young working Canarians are at risk of poverty.
For now, nothing changes for holidaymakers. Any tax would need to be passed by the Canary Islands Parliament first.
