Canary Islands Renew Anti-Tourism Protests Amid Surging Visitor Numbers
This past weekend, residents of Spain’s Canary Islands mobilised once again to voice growing concerns over the effects of overtourism. The demonstrations come as the archipelago grapples with record-breaking visitor arrivals and increasing pressure on housing, local services, and the environment.
Archipelago-Wide Action Reflects Escalating Discontent
On Sunday, 18 May, coordinated protests took place on all seven major Canary Islands—El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura—starting at 11 am local time. Simultaneously, events were held in major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, while solidarity protests were also scheduled in Berlin.
The demonstrations were organised by Canarias tiene un límite ("The Canary Islands have a limit"), a campaign group calling for an urgent shift away from an economic system heavily reliant on tourism.
This latest movement follows a series of similar demonstrations, including a large protest on 20 April, as reported in "Europe’s most unwelcoming destinations for British tourists." That protest highlighted widespread frustration over water shortages, housing shortages, environmental degradation, and traffic congestion caused by unchecked tourism.
A Call for Systemic Change
Organisers argue that the islands can no longer sustain an economic model rooted in unchecked tourism growth, real estate speculation, and deepening inequality. Their demands include:
2. A moratorium on new tourism developments
3. Greater protection of housing and healthcare access for residents
4. Introduction of a comprehensive ecological tourist tax
5. Immediate steps to reduce marine pollution
6. Legislation focused on environmental restoration
Protesters say these measures are necessary to prioritise the islands’ long-term ecological and social wellbeing.
Tourist Numbers Reach New Heights Despite Protests
The demonstrations come as tourism numbers continue to climb. Earlier in May, Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that over 1.55 million foreign visitors arrived in the Canary Islands in March 2025—a 0.9% rise from the same month the previous year. Over the first quarter, international arrivals totalled 4.36 million, marking a 2.1% increase year-on-year.
These figures highlight the mounting tension between economic gains from tourism and growing calls from residents for a more sustainable, community-first approach.
Labour Unrest and Wider Momentum
Protests aren’t limited to the streets. Over Easter, approximately 80,000 hospitality workers across four islands took strike action over pay disputes, further underlining the challenges facing the region’s tourism-dependent economy.
With summer approaching, local campaigners are vowing to keep up the pressure. As the Canary Islands continue to break tourism records, their residents are demanding a fundamental rethink of what sustainable travel means for their home.
