Protests in the Canary Islands: Vacationers don't dare to get out anymore!

Protests in the Canary Islands: Vacationers don't dare to get out anymore!

Teneriffa, Spanien - In the Canary Islands there are currently massive protests against mass tourism. Thousands of people have demonstrated in cities like Tenerife, and in the meantime many vacationers remain anxious in their hotels or apartments. A tourist reported that he was "too frightened" to escape his Airbnb accommodation. The movement "Canaria's Tiene Un Límite" criticizes the overload of the region by tourism, especially due to rising rents and environmental destruction, which result from the massive tourist use. The population of the Canary Islands has around 2.2 million, but around 18 million tourists visit the popular islands every year.

With drums and shell horns, the demonstrators are calling for a ban on new hotel buildings and an eco tax for tourists. The purchase of real estate is also to be regulated by foreigners. The reality on the Canary Islands is characterized by crowded streets and growing dissatisfaction among the locals, which are increasingly being pushed out of the housing market. The protests can also be seen in the context of a nationwide anti-tourism mood that other regions of Spain has reached. Over 20,000 participants were counted by the police, while organizers speak of almost 50,000 demonstrators.

demands of the activists

The demonstrators not only call for better control of the regulations for the rental of holiday accommodation, but also better say in the future development of tourism on the islands. These measures are necessary to ensure the quality of life of the residents and to contain the continuing trend of mass tourism. All over the Canary Islands, signs with slogans such as "The Canary Islands are not for sale" and "Tourism increases my rent".

Although the Canarian government is planning talks with the activists, the protesters rejected the offer and demand concrete, immediate measures. During the protests, activists from the "Canary Island Sales" movement also went on hunger strike to underpin their demands. These protests are not in the vacuum; They are part of an increasing unrest in the entire country, where similar movements against tourism as in Catalonia or on the Balearic Islands can be observed.

economic aspects

Despite the growing misconduct, the tourism sector on the Canary Islands is of enormous economic importance. The tourism sector contributes around 35% to the economic output of the islands and secures around 40% of jobs. According to the reports, the proceeds from tourism in Spain reached $ 70 billion in 2022, but many of these income flow into the hands of international providers. This increases the housing shortage for the locals, as many apartments are rented to tourists, which rents further. The problem is so serious that the German Travel Association (DRV) warns of a lack of affordable living space.

As a result of the pressure from the protest movements, some cities in Spain have already made considerations to limit licenses for holiday apartments and thus secure the living space for the local population. In the meantime, other European countries, such as Greece, are planning to take similar measures against exuberant cruise tourism.

The situation in the Canary Islands shows how important it is to find a balance between tourism and the needs of the local population. The protests make it clear that the current tourism management in the popular travel regions urgently needs to be revised.