Minister in Hot Water over Volcano Comments

Source: Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash

Devastating volcano eruption can be used to lure tourists to Canaries, says minister 

Tourism minister derided for suggesting La Palma volcano could lure visitors to Spanish archipelago

Spain’s tourism minister has been accused of insensitivity after suggesting that a devastating and ongoing volcanic eruption on the Canary island of La Palma could be used as an “attraction” to lure visitors to the archipelago. 

About 5,500 people have been evacuated and at least 120 homes destroyed after the eruption in the Cumbre Vieja mountain range, one of the most active volcanic regions in the islands. 

Speaking on Monday morning, Reyes Maroto said the government wanted to reassure tourists already on La Palma – or heading there – that the island was still safe despite the eruption, which began on Sunday afternoon. 

“The most important thing right now is reassuring tourists who have been affected, and also those who may be travelling to the island today or during the course of the week,” she told Canal Sur radio. 

“We’re providing information so that tourists can travel to the island and witness something *undoubtedly unprecedented for themselves. That information will let tourists know that the island is open and also whether their hotel has been affected so they can stay elsewhere and enjoy their holidays. 

“We can also make the most of this as an attraction so that a lot of tourists who want to enjoy what nature has brought to La Palma can do so in the coming weeks and months.”

Maroto said the state tourism institute, Turespaña, and the country’s embassies “would provide all the necessary information so that the island can become an attraction for those tourists who want to see this wonderful natural spectacle in a prudent manner, because what we are worried about right now is the safety of citizens and tourists”. 

Asked if La Palma could become a “volcano tourism” destination, the minister said the island “has a volcanic part to its tourist offer, and that could be an attraction we can make the most of”. 

Maroto’s political opponents were quick to seize on her comments. “Minister, this is totally inappropriate!!!” said Agustín Almodóbar, the tourism spokesperson for the conservative People’s party (PP). “There are people who are losing their homes!!!” 

Almodóbar’s colleague, the PP’s secretary general, Teodoro García Egea, tweeted: “Can someone confirm that the minister said this while hundreds of people are losing everything they have?” 

Maroto sought to “clarify” her remarks later on Monday, insisting that the immediate focus was on working to help islanders deal with the consequences of the eruption. 

“Today we stand with the victims and those affected, and we’re thinking about how best to get back to that normality that nature’s changed,” she said. “In the future – in the coming weeks and months, when this catastrophe has passed – we’ll think about how we can once again make the beautiful island of La Palma into a tourist area.”

According to the civil protection authorities, between 120 and 130 homes have been destroyed as a result of the eruption, which has not so far caused any injuries. 

The volcano previously erupted in 1971, killing one man who was taking photographs near the lava flows.

Source: Guardian

Spotlight on Vocabulary;

“We’re providing information so that tourists can travel to the island and witness something undoubtedly unprecedented for themselves."

- used to emphasise that something is true

• She was undoubtedly the best candidate for the job.
• There is undoubtedly a great deal of truth in what he says.
• Undoubtedly, some people will disagree with the proposal.

Undoubtedly, the guy has had a hugely successful career but I really can't stand him. He has zero personality. He is a bad loser too it seems. His twitter is just full of brand endorsements. The typical frown that he wears at press conferences gets on my nerves.

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) January 12, 2020

 

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