Supporting local shops has become a popular approach across Tenerife, and now La Laguna is preparing to roll out one of the biggest voucher schemes seen in the Canary Islands.
The council has committed €1.4 million to the initiative, which will allow residents to buy €20 shopping vouchers for just €10, with the remaining €10 paid by the local authority.
How the Scheme Works
A total of 70,000 vouchers will be made available to spend in participating businesses across the municipality.
To make sure as many people as possible benefit, each resident will be able to purchase a maximum of five vouchers, which will be linked to their national ID card or passport.
The campaign will be managed by the Federation of Urban Areas of the Canary Islands (FAUCA), which is responsible for registering businesses and overseeing the technical side of the scheme.
Once registration has been completed, the council will announce the date when vouchers go on sale.
More Businesses Can Take Part
One of the changes for this year’s campaign is that tattoo studios will now be eligible to join for the first time.
That broadens the range of businesses able to benefit and reflects the council’s aim of supporting as much of the local economy as possible.
Giving Independent Businesses a Boost
Shopping voucher campaigns have proved popular throughout Tenerife in recent years, with many selling out quickly as residents take advantage of the discounted spending.
For local businesses, the schemes provide an immediate boost in trade while encouraging shoppers to visit town centres instead of heading online or to larger retail chains.
The extra footfall also tends to benefit nearby cafés, bars and restaurants, creating a wider economic impact.
One of the Canary Islands’ Largest Campaigns
With an investment of €1.4 million and 70,000 vouchers available, La Laguna’s programme is one of the largest of its kind in the Canary Islands.
At a time when many independent businesses continue to face rising operating costs, the initiative is expected to provide welcome support while encouraging residents to spend locally and keep money circulating within the municipality.