3 weeks ago
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Canary Islands protest: Residents in Tenerife voice their concerns
Anger is mounting against anti-tourism protesters in the Canary Islands, with critics warning their ongoing demonstrations risk "cutting off their nose to spite their face".
Demonstrations, organised by up to 20 different groups under the slogan "Canary Islands have a limit," have made headlines from the peak of summer and even into the winter months.
Some have involved locals waving placards on popular beaches with slogans including "the Canaries don’t live off tourism; tourism lives off the Canaries," with some even including pictures of firearms.
Roughly 8,000 people took part in last weekend’s demonstrations, with one sign reading: "Enjoying a day at your pool?
Feelings are running high in the Canary Islands (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
"That water could be used for food."
However, in a clear sign that not everyone agrees with such sentiments, some business owners have begun organising counter-protests to highlight the importance of tourism to the local economy.
Restaurant owner Augusto Ferreira, led one of these, entitled "Lanzarote Loves Tourism".
A vocal critic of the anti-tourism movement, he described it as being driven by politicians "playing political games."
Tourists look at protesters marching on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ferreira stressed the critical role tourism plays, telling The Telegraph: "I’ve heard wonderful stories from people whose families depend on tourism and who owe what they have to this industry."
David Morales, the tourism head for the People’s Party in the Canary Islands, vowed to protect "the right of tourists to enjoy their holidays without facing interruptions or verbal and physical attacks".
Spain’s National Statistics Institute revealed the Canary Islands have seen a 10.3% rise in visitor numbers from January to September 2024, reaching 9.9 million. Last year, these tourists pumped £16.6 billion (€20 billion) into the local economy.
While one unnamed British resident - married to a Canarian - laid into the protesters, telling The Telegraph: "They're cutting off their noses to spite their faces.
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An estimated 6,500 people take part in a demonstration at the weekend (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
"The majority of my Canarian family all work one way or another in relation to tourism.
"They think the protesters are stupid - and totally don't agree with it."
The Canary Islands' regional government is proposing a law to introduce stricter controls on short-term rentals, prohibiting new build properties from offering short-term lets.
Property owners will be given a five-year window to comply with the new regulations.
Protesters march during demonstration against mass tourism as tourists sit in a terrace, in Arona on (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Some locals fear reducing tourism could have severe economic consequences, with Eva María, a housekeeper at one of Tenerife’s largest hotels, saying: “I think the protesters are going about this all wrong because tourism is our lifeline in the Canary Islands.
"My life has improved because of it; I’ve been able to educate my children and make a living.
"But if they keep harassing tourists, this will make international headlines and affect our jobs.”
Martin Astley, a long-term resident and Tenerife estate agent, added: "What would the protesters think if tourists and tour operators boycotted the Canary Islands for a whole year or two?"
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