Mass Tourism Growth Sparks Major Protests in Spain’s Canary Islands

In the Canary Islands of Spain, massive protests have erupted as locals express their frustration with the overwhelming impact of mass tourism on the archipelago. Demonstrators are advocating for restrictions on tourist numbers and a halt to rampant development, which they believe adversely affects both the environment and the local communities.

While they clarify that their objections are not directed at the tourism sector itself—a vital part of the Canaries’ economy, contributing 35% to its GDP—the concern lies with the sustainability of such growth. In 2023 alone, the islands welcomed 13.9 million visitors, which is more than six times their population of 2.2 million.

The tourism sector is a significant employer in the region, accounting for 40% of local jobs. The primary visitors to the islands come from the UK and Germany, although the islands are also favored by tourists from mainland Spain, drawn by the Canaries’ year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches.

Public demonstrations were also seen across parts of mainland Spain last Saturday. The protesters are calling for a tourism model that considers environmental sustainability, especially in the face of climate-induced water scarcities, and one that reduces the economic strain on housing and living costs.

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), in 2023, 34% of residents in the Canary Islands faced risks of poverty or social exclusion, one of the highest rates in Spain. Recently, activists in Tenerife started a hunger strike to oppose the continuous expansion of tourism developments, including the construction of a new hotel and beach resort in the southern part of the island. They are demanding a freeze on all new tourism-related construction projects.

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