Protests Erupt Over Canaries Have a Limit
GRAN CANARIA, Spain — Thousands of locals took to the streets on Sunday, demanding measures to curb mass tourism in Spain’s Canary Islands. Under the slogan “Canaries have a limit,” demonstrators called on authorities to limit visitor numbers to protect residents from rising housing prices, congested roads, and stretched public services.
The phrase Canaries have a limit echoed across the archipelago’s main islands and even reached several cities on mainland Spain. Protesters voiced concerns about tourism’s impact on local water resources and quality of life.
Local Voices Highlight Tourism’s Toll
One hotel manager from Tenerife shared his family’s struggles, explaining how an expropriation order issued last year affected his father’s small island property. “Those 70 square meters [750 square feet] that they want to expropriate are all my father has. His health situation has deteriorated since this happened,” he revealed.
With over one million foreign tourists arriving monthly compared to a resident population of 2.2 million, the islands face immense pressure on infrastructure. Experts note that since the 1970s, hotel capacity has tripled while infrastructure improvements have lagged, leading to soaring housing costs, traffic jams, and limited healthcare access during peak seasons.
Challenges Beyond Housing
Residents express frustration as regional officials prioritize expanding housing developments rather than controlling tourist numbers. A local lawyer criticized this approach, stating, “The goal is not tourism quality, but that more and more tourists come. The number of tourists and people who come to live here is crushing us.” Community leaders warn that unchecked growth threatens the islands’ livability.
Tourism Pressures Spur Action and Appeals
Spain, which recently recorded a historic number of tourist arrivals in 2024, anticipates continued growth this year. Similar protests against overtourism have occurred in other popular destinations such as Mallorca, Barcelona, and Malaga. The Canary Islands also saw comparable demonstrations last year.
To address the crisis, Canary Island officials traveled to Brussels this week seeking European Union funding aimed at developing affordable housing in the region’s most remote areas. However, many argue that without regulating visitor numbers, such efforts may fall short of easing the residents’ burden.
As the debate over mass tourism intensifies, the rallying cry remains clear: Canaries have a limit, and residents want policies that prioritize their well-being over unchecked tourist influx.
For more news and updates on mass tourism protests, visit Filipinokami.com.