Roquetas requests Europe's help to build a shuttle bus linking Aguadulce and 'Urba.

Roquetas City Council makes second attempt to secure European funds for the implementation a Tourism Sustainability Plan. This week, the Local Government Board approved the plan by the Department of Tourism and Beaches. It will be presented to request funds and includes an investment of 3.5million euros for projects that are subject to the various lines of action of the European grants.

There have been several steps taken to improve energy efficiency. The most significant is the creation an electric shuttle bus connecting the beaches of Aguadulce with the Roquetas Urbanization. This requires a half-million euro investment. This subsidy is remarkable considering that the municipality has not yet implemented an urban transport system that was supposed to be in place two decades ago. The subsidy request for electric buses was denied shortly thereafter. They don't have an urban service that would link them.

The efficiency section also proposes the use of renewable energy on beaches. This amount is for 80,000 euros. It includes the improvement of lighting at Castillo de Santa Ana with 100,000 more euros and a reduction in the hydric stress on the beach facilities. EUR60,000.

The Axis of Green and Sustainable Transition includes actions such as the prevention and repopulation mountain areas, and their surroundings. It has a budget of 500,000 Euros and a circular economy system. There is also waste management on beaches, which is valued at 150,000 Euros. Shaded areas will be created in main accesses to urban beaches, which will cost 360,000 Euros.

Concerning the digital transition axis: A project was planned to intelligently manage car parks on beaches. This will cost another 500,000 Euros. Roquetas has also been promoted as a destination that is accessible, healthy, and sports-friendly, with an additional 165,000 Euros.

A new lookout

The budget also includes a viewpoint worth 300,000 Euros, a recreation and leisure area in La Bajadilla worth 300,000 Euros and an identical item to support underwater tourism.

In order to improve competitiveness, an item worth 45,000 Euros has been added for the creation a health- and sports tourism offer. This plan will evaluate the results of the destination as a tourist destination. Another 60,000 and 120,000 Euros have been allocated for the management and administration of the Destination Sustainability Plan.

After being left out of decarbonization assistance and the first call for Destination Sustainability plans, the Consistory hopes that Next Generation funds will be available to it.

Gabriel Amat, the mayor, stated that the goal is to improve Roquetas de Mar's tourist resources. He also mentioned that the model of sustainable tourism and accessibility will help diversify the offer as well as improve competition. The mayor reminded that the municipality had been working on the Tourism Plan for Large Cities of Andalusia since last year, which will be co-financed by the Junta.