Tourism Protests Erupt in Spain’s Canary Islands
TENERIFE — A massive wave of discontent has swept through Spain’s Canary Islands as tens of thousands of residents rise up against the relentless onslaught of mass tourism engulfing the Atlantic archipelago.
Calling for restrictions on tourist numbers and tighter controls on what they view as unchecked development wreaking havoc on the environment and local communities, protesters are making their voices heard.
Despite their grievances, the demonstrators emphasize that they are not opposed to the tourism industry, a vital sector that contributes 35% to the Canaries’ economy.
With a staggering 13.9 million tourists flocking to the seven main islands in 2023, a number six times greater than the local population of 2.2 million, the strain on resources and infrastructure is becoming increasingly evident.
Notably, tourism also drives 40% of the archipelago’s employment opportunities, making it a cornerstone of the region’s economic stability.
Although the UK and Germany remain key markets for the islands, drawing in a substantial number of visitors, mainland Spaniards also frequently choose the Canaries as a preferred vacation spot.
Renowned for their pristine beaches and year-round sunshine, the allure of the Canaries is undeniable.
This past Saturday, a groundswell of protests erupted across the archipelago, with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, witnessing a sea of placards proclaiming “Tourist — respect my land!” and “Canaries have a limit”.
Speaking out against the entrenched model of mass tourism that has dominated the islands for decades, protester Lydia Morales lamented the detrimental impact on the environment and the lives of local residents.
Expressing a sense of displacement and neglect, Morales highlighted the government’s fixation on erecting sprawling tourism complexes at the expense of community well-being.
Simultaneously, demonstrations reverberated across mainland Spain, underscoring the widespread call for a sustainable tourism model that prioritizes environmental conservation and mitigates the strain on resources and housing.
With 34% of Canary Islanders facing poverty or social exclusion, the urgent need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to tourism is becoming increasingly apparent.
As activists embarked on a hunger strike to protest the expansion of a hotel and beach resort in southern Tenerife, the demand for a moratorium on all tourism development projects grows louder. — BBC
