Public uprising in Spain: Protests held against uncontrolled tourism
Spaniards took to the streets in the Canary Islands in the southeast of Spain to protest against "uncontrolled tourism," citing it as the cause of the high cost of living, housing problems, and rising rents.
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In the Canary Islands, one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, which was visited by approximately 14 million tourists in 2023, the public held a large-scale protest for the first time against tourism, the region's primary source of income.
Demonstrations took place across 8 different islands in the Canary archipelago, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Palma. Protesters voiced their opposition to the lack of regulations on short-term vacation rentals for tourists, the fact that the local population—especially the youth—does not benefit from the current economic model, and the way tourism drives up the cost of living.
Organized following social media posts and criticisms by local youth, the demonstration highlighted the slogan, "The Canaries have a limit."
Organizers, noting the very high level of participation, described the event as a "historic protest" in the Canary Islands.
'THE CURRENT TOURISM SYSTEM MUST END'
Speeches during the protest complained that the increasing number of tourists in the Canary Islands, which receive visitors for most of the year due to climate conditions, has restricted the lifestyle of the local population.
"Rising tourism has caused poverty and inequality to become chronic among the local population," said Canary Islands residents, who called out: "Tourism is very important, but if it is not going to be effective for the majority of the local people, who benefits from more tourists coming? In the Canary Islands, coastlines, beaches, and natural protected areas are being filled with rapidly and poorly constructed hotels, and invitations are being extended for cheap tourism. The current tourism system must end."
The protesters demanded guarantees against the construction of new tourist accommodation centers in the Canary Islands, the implementation of regulations on short-term vacation rentals for tourists, restrictions on property purchases by foreigners, prioritization of the protection of the region's natural areas, and the introduction of an environmental tax for tourists.
Simultaneous demonstrations were also held in the Spanish cities of Granada and Barcelona, the capital Madrid, as well as in Berlin, Germany, and London, England, in support of the protest in the Canary Islands.