Protests Erupt in the Canary Islands Over Tourism Impact
On Sunday, approximately 30,000 individuals gathered in various cities and towns across the Canary Islands, united under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.” This demonstration highlighted the growing concerns surrounding the overwhelming influx of tourists, as the archipelago welcomed over 16 million visitors in 2023 aloneāa figure that is expected to rise even further by the end of 2024. Tourists contributed more than 20 billion euros to the local economy last year; however, this economic boon comes with significant consequences.
While the protesters acknowledge that tourism plays a vital role in providing employment, they argue that many of these jobs are low-skilled and poorly compensated. The real estate market has also been heavily impacted, as a considerable number of properties are owned by non-resident second homeowners. This trend has rendered purchasing a home increasingly unaffordable, and finding reasonably priced rental accommodations has become an ongoing challenge for local residents.
In 2023, tourism experienced a five percent growth, which the demonstrators claim is excessive, leading to overcrowding on the islands. Many advocates suggest that the solution lies in attracting a smaller number of wealthier tourists, similar to successful strategies implemented by other countries facing comparable challenges.
Environmental Concerns
Among the organizations supporting the recent protests is Ecologists in Action, which emphasizes the detrimental impact of mass tourism on the delicate biodiversity of the Canary Islands. The archipelago is home to protected areas, endemic species, and unique ecosystems that have developed due to its volcanic origins.
Following a significant protest in April, demonstrators had high hopes for new legislative measures from the islands’ parliament, such as the introduction of a tourist taxāa measure already in place in Spain’s Balearic Islands, which face similar issues. However, according to the protesters, no substantial legislative progress has been made, and the anticipated tourist tax has yet to be implemented.
In Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, protester Eugenio Reyes expressed his frustrations to local media, stating, “Everything remains the same.” He lamented the lack of official communication from authorities and pointed out that no platforms or observatories have been established for civil society to voice their concerns or present specific proposals.