Canary Islands residents rally for sustainable tourism amid growth

In Tenerife and other islands of the Canary Islands archipelago, massive demonstrations occurred against the current tourism model in the region. Residents of the islands want a fairer and less destructive tourism model in the Canaries.

On Saturday, 20 April, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tenerife to protest against the tourism model, which they believe is destructive for the residents of the Canary Islands. Protests also occurred on archipelago islands, including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands are an autonomous territory of Spain.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "The Canary Islands are not for sale!" and "Respect my home." They were held under the banner "Canary Islands, find moderation." The protests were provoked by plans to build a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last pristine beaches.

Protesting individuals' demands from regional politicians for changing the tourism model and protecting the islands from the worst consequences of mass tourism. They are fed up with sea pollution, traffic congestion, and a lack of affordable housing due to rising real estate prices caused by vacation rentals in the Airbnb model.

Other demands include protecting natural areas, introducing a tourist tax, and better working conditions for hotel cleaning staff. The latter joined the protest in Santa Cruz with the slogan: "We are not slaves". According to official data, the Canary Islands, with a population of 2.2 million, were visited by almost 14 million foreign tourists in 2023. This is a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year. One of the banners at the protest read: "14 million tourists a year, but 36 percent of Canarians at risk of poverty".

Before the demonstration began, a spokesperson for the protest campaign Canarias Se Agota (Spanish: The Canary Islands Are Exhausted) spoke. Its representatives have been on a hunger strike since 10 April. The organization's spokesperson stated: "We cannot forget today about these people who risk their lives for our land. Their determination inspires us, their courage moves us, and their sacrifice reminds us that this struggle is for everyone and about everyone". He added: "Today the Canary Islands scream and fight, and tomorrow they will continue to do so".

The Minister of Tourism for the Canary Islands, Jessica de Leon, appealed to tourists not to cancel their vacations due to the demonstrations. The president of the Canary Islands region, Fernando Clavijo, initially admitted fearing that tourists may be discouraged from this destination. Last week, he softened his stance and described the 20 April protests as an opportunity to "review" the current tourism model.

Source: metro.co.uk