Interview with the President of Lanzarote’s Chamber of Commerce

Lanzarote’s Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. In those years the Chamber has offered vital support for start-ups and small- and medium- businesses, and has become an increasingly influential voice on the main issues affecting the island. We spoke to the Chamber’s President, José Valle, last month.

What is the real likelihood of establishing an island-wide taxi service?

At the Chamber we’re currently working with the Cabildo to promote a model agreed upon by the local councils. Earlier this year, we presented a public opinion survey to the Cabildo on the taxi service. It diagnosed a lack of coordination, coverage and a need for better digital services, and urged consensus and solutions to achieve coordinated, sustainable mobility adapted to the 21st century. As a result of this, the Cabildo recently approved the TaxiLanzarote.net system, an initiative to modernize the service, improve service to residents and tourists, and protect local employment. So, the solution is underway.

Do you think Uber and other similar services will ever operate in Lanzarote?

TaxiLanzarote.net is Lanzarote’s own model that offers similar technological advantages, such as geolocation and digital payment, via an app. If we can successfully manage it, it won’t be necessary to import external platforms that neither pay taxes nor generate value on the island.

Is public transport adequate on the island?

How can the number of private vehicles be reduced? In September we presented an Activation Plan to stimulate sustainable economic and social growth in Lanzarote and La Graciosa, funded by the Cabildo. It proposes, among many other initiatives, a strategy to connect taxis and buses and achieve sustainable mobility through smart infrastructure and increased service frequency.

We need to reduce the number of vehicles in circulation, and this requires investment in public transportation, electric mobility, and ride-sharing to achieve a more efficient and habitable island.

How will artificial intelligence affect businesses and employment in Lanzarote?

That’s a big question. Artificial intelligence can be a great ally if it is put at the service of people. Lanzarote must seize this opportunity to improve competitiveness, diversify the economy, and create quality employment. This is another key point of our Activation Plan: the digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses, especially in tourism, energy, and services. The key is to support local talent and invest in training on our island.

Aside from tourism, what are the best-performing areas of Lanzarote’s economy? What types of businesses will thrive in the future and which will struggle?

Sectors such as renewable energy, “the blue economy” (ocean resources), digitalization, and the cultural and creative industry have shown interesting and sustained growth. Innovative, sustainable, and co-operative companies will have a greater chance than those that fail to adapt to environmental and technological demands.

Lanzarote has great potential to become an island laboratory for innovation and economic diversification, but to achieve this, we must carefully design new training paths for our youth and work on proposals to retain talent.

Will global events such as the cut in US aid to Africa and opposition to zero-emission policies negatively affect Lanzarote?

In a globalized world, we are all sensitive to change, but Lanzarote has an enormous capacity for adaptation and huge potential due to its uniqueness and geolocation. Policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions are not a threat, but an opportunity to transform our production model, reduce external dependence, and generate green and digital jobs.

What solutions does the Chamber offer to the housing crisis?

Housing is one of the major priorities we have highlighted in this Activation Plan. We propose mobilizing vacant housing with a guaranteed rental programme, incentivizing renovation, and applying clearer regulations to vacation rentals, promoting quality and a balance between tourism and residential use. Solving the housing problem is key to retaining talent and vital for the welfare of our residents.

Lanzarote has a larger population, both resident and non-resident, than ever before. Is enough investment in infrastructure being made?

The island has grown faster than its infrastructure. The Activation Plan proposes 138 strategic projects, including the modernization of healthcare, energy, port, education, and mobility infrastructure. Rather than spending more, we must invest better, with an island-wide vision, continuity, and sustainability criteria. If the plan is implemented with consensus, Lanzarote can catch up in a decade.

Lanzarote also has more tourists than ever before. Do you support any of the proposals of protesters, such as a moratorium, a tourist tax, or a Residents’ Law?

While we share their concern, we believe the solution isn’t to slow things down, but to manage them better. Lanzarote doesn’t need more tourism, but better tourism.

The self-employed complain of continued pressure and difficulties. Do they need more support?

Yes. The self-employed are at the heart of the island’s productive fabric, but they suffer from too much bureaucracy and costs. We promote measures to simplify procedures, improve access to financing, and offer useful training, especially in digitalization and sustainability. They don’t need protection, but rather fair conditions to compete and grow equally.

Are there other issues the island must urgently address?

Yes. We must act decisively on the issue of water, as well the housing and mobility issues we’ve already mentioned. At the same time, we urgently need to invest in training and innovation to ensure a sustainable future. Our Activation Plan, which can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website, offers this roadmap: a collective project to guarantee long-term well-being, employment, and territorial balance.