Else Beekman
Thousands of residents across the Canary Islands took to the streets on Sunday to protest the negative impact of mass tourism. Demonstrators appeared unexpectedly on the popular Playa de las Américas beach in Tenerife, holding banners with slogans like “Tourists, go home” and “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
At the same time protesters in El Hierro, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma highlighted concerns over the strain on natural resources and the housing market. Many locals are being priced out of their homes due to tourist demand. They demand a new and more sustainable touristic model. According to the islands’ authorities over 8.000 persons took part in the demonstration. However, the organisers counted between 26,000 and 31,200 participants.
Protests over environmental and housing concerns
The protesters claim that the influx of millions of tourists is depleting the islands’ natural resources and pushing up housing prices. For locals it is increasingly difficult to find affordable accommodation. Others were more nuanced and blamed local politicians in particular, who allegedly let the matter get out of hand for financial gain. Recent data shows a significant rise in tourist numbers, with nearly 10 million visitors between January and September 2024, exacerbating the issue.
New regulations
In response to the surge in private tourist rentals over recent years, the Canary Islands government has proposed stricter regulations on short-term rental agreements. The new law, expected to be passed this year, will prevent newly built properties from entering the short-term rental market. Additionally, homeowners with existing tourist rental licences will face tougher restrictions, including giving neighbours the right to raise objections. These measures aim to curb the impact of over-tourism and protect local housing availability.
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