As Lanzarote steps into the 2020s, its priorities are to maintain the levels of tourism of recent years, as well as to tackle urgent new environmental realities that could seriously affect a low-lying island.
At the time of writing it looks as though Spain may finally be able to form a government, which will bring a little stability to national affairs. The Canaries also starts a new decade under new rule by the Socialist-led coalition following the ousting of the Coalición Canaria in May last year.
Two serious blows last year – the withdrawal of Ryanair’s Canarian bases and the collapse of Thomas Cook – were added to Brexit uncertainty and the recovery of competing markets as factors that could seriously affect the island’s tourist economy.
Much work has been done to reduce the impact of these issues, but there will be much more yet to come. Much of it will be directed by a new government that places great importance on social issues and which also is facing up to the realities of climate change. How much progress will take place is debatable, but Lanzarote and the Canaries cannot afford to prevaricate any longer.
Lanzarote will also finish celebrating the centenary of its favourite son, César Manrique, and the island’s carnival, fiestas and sporting events will light up the year as usual.
Further afield, Britain’s relationship with Europe will remain in the news, regardless of how Brexit finishes; and in the USA, Donald Trump will attempt to win a second term as President against a Democratic Party which still seems unable to deal with new realities.
In sport, Gareth Southgate has built the most impressive England team for ages, and his young players will be competing in the Euro 2020 Championship all over Europe. Once that’s over, the Tokyo Olympics will keep us entertained and thrilled for another month.
