Spain is facing a tourism backlash as residents of the Canary Islands protest overtourism and overcrowding.
Canary Islands residents have escalated anti-tourism protests amid record-breaking British arrivals, warning of unrest and overstretched local resources.
According to the British news channel GBN, British holiday travelers have been issued a stark warning: “Please don’t come.”
Protests are expected to grow louder in the coming months following a significant rise in tourism in recent years, with visitor figures jumping from 16 million in 2023 to 18 million in 2024. Local groups are alarmed by this trend, predicting further increases in 2025 and arguing that the current influx is placing untenable pressure on the region’s resources and infrastructure.
Grassroots campaigners have voiced concerns that the islands are reaching a breaking point. From environmental degradation to unaffordable housing for residents, they argue that unchecked mass tourism is pushing the local ecosystem and community to its limits. The activists are calling for urgent reforms to preserve the islands’ long-term sustainability.
The movement gained momentum in 2024, when tens of thousands of islanders marched through the streets demanding stricter tourism controls. What began as sporadic protests has now evolved into an organized campaign aiming to influence policy and restrict overtourism, sending a clear message to both the government and incoming travelers.
However, due to what activists perceived as a “lack of action” from island leadership, they soon changed their approach, shifting their focus to popular tourist hotspots frequented by British visitors, including Playa De Las Americas. This change in strategy aims to trigger policy reforms that would limit visitor numbers and second homes.
Meanwhile, despite gaining international attention, the initial wave of protests did little to deter foreign tourists from flocking to the islands.
Protest organizers have announced plans for major protests as the peak season in the Canaries’ tourist hotspots gets underway.
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