Many Meetings, Little Action
It’s been over five months since Eduard Van der Veen took over as the President of the Association of Business Owners of El Castillo (AECA) and the Board of Directors was renewed. In this time, the organization has launched an informative newsletter to communicate its activities, particularly within the municipal realm. Meetings with the local government, council members, and representatives from the Cabildo of Fuerteventura have occurred frequently. However, the results have been minimal.
In a recent interview on the program La Voz de Fuerteventura on Radio Insular, President Eduard Van der Veen, accompanied by Vice President Massimiliano Migliorato and Secretary Juan Gonçalves, expressed their frustration, stating that “nothing has been done during this time.” They voiced concern about a significant decline in the quality of visitors to this tourist area and urged for enhancements in tourism resources and gastronomy, among other proposals.
A major point of concern among business owners and residents in the coastal area of Antigua is the lack of security. Despite promises for enhanced police presence, AECA argues that the number of officers remains insufficient, particularly during nighttime hours. “People still feel scared at night,” Van der Veen emphasized, referring to several incidents that have caused unease among both residents and visitors. This sentiment was echoed by Secretary Juan Gonçalves, who stressed that “there is a need for increased police presence on the streets, as many neighbors feel unprotected.”
Another significant demand focuses on the limited leisure and sports offerings for children, along with the necessity for a more vibrant cultural and festive agenda.
Canary Islands Day is May 30
In this spirit, they announced that this year the Beach Party will return, scheduled for August 1 and 2 at El Castillo beach.
They also disclosed plans to celebrate Canary Islands Day on May 30, firmly rejecting the local government’s proposal to move the commemoration forward by a week.
AECA is committed to celebrating on May 30, with or without municipal support, at El Castillo beach. Various initiatives aimed at promoting Canarian culture are planned, including a contest that will award 500 euros to the best-dressed couple in traditional attire.
“We cannot sit back waiting for the municipality to organize something; we must lead the change,” they emphasized.
AECA Calls for a “Fair Distribution of Events”
At this juncture, advocating for an equitable distribution of events is crucial. AECA requests the Ayuntamiento of Antigua to ensure that at least 50% of activities organized in the town center are also allowed to take place in tourist areas. “We want our area to receive the same attention that Antigua village does, in terms of both festivals and cultural programming. This way, residents and tourists can enjoy a more complete calendar,” they explained.
In tandem with the festive offerings, the revival of historical spaces is a key pillar for revitalizing the area. One immediate project is the opening of the Torre de San Buenaventura, which remains closed to the public and is owned by a private party from Gran Canaria. “We understand it belongs to a private owner in Gran Canaria, but an agreement should be reached to open it and turn it into a cultural landmark,” the president asserted, confident that local heritage can enrich the experience for visitors to El Castillo.
Business owners are also calling for prompt completion of ongoing works affecting the mountain area, as well as beach cleanliness and the resumption of sports activities like beach volleyball or soccer tournaments.
Employment and the Primary Sector
Additionally, the organization is actively working on various initiatives that could positively impact the local population. They have sought collaboration from the Ayuntamiento to create a job bank aimed primarily at residents of the municipality.
Moreover, they underscore the importance of promoting local markets that sell fresh produce, focusing on majorcan agriculture and proximity consumption. This serves as a way to foster synergies between primary sector professionals and their clientele, which includes both local residents and business owners.
El Castillo needs action, “we cannot wait any longer,” they stressed, demanding a fairer distribution of events that currently take place predominantly in Antigua village. “If we don’t collectively push for change,” they concluded, “Caleta de Fuste will lose more ground against other tourist enclaves in Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands.”
