UK holidaymakers are being encouraged to keep the Canary Islands on their travel radar despite rising tensions and anti-tourist protests sweeping across popular destinations like Lanzarote and Tenerife. The surge in demonstrations has sparked fears among locals that tourism might take a hit.
Some critics warn that unless the influx of tourists to the Canaries is curbed, the region could face a “systemic collapse”. The local environmental group Ben Magec – Ecologists in Action has voiced concerns, stating that “The Canary Islands territory was more than overexploited”.
They added: “We had exceeded the carrying capacity of the territory by seven times, resulting in a scenario of systemic collapse due to the urban development structure.” However, regional tourism official Jessica de Leon urged Brits to continue visiting, telling the Telegraph she is eager to “delightedly welcome” tourists.
She assured: “It is still safe to visit the Canary Islands. People who come here to visit and spend their money must not be criticised or insulted. We are playing with our main source of income”.
Echoing her sentiments, Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands, earlier this month urged tourists to continue with their holiday plans to the archipelago, as reported by the Mirror. He said: “We are worried because tourism is our main source of income and I think that whoever comes here to enjoy, to spend a few days and to leave their money in the Canary Islands, shouldn’t be rebuked or face insults.”
Meanwhile, Pere Joan Femenia from the group Menys Turisme, Mas Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), which organised a protest last month, shared their perspective with The Telegraph, stating: “What we want is to change the tourism model which is overwhelming the island. We cannot live here because house prices are so high. Beaches are swamped by tourists and public services are under incredible strain.”
A 25 year old student has revealed that protesters are demanding a ban on foreign nationals, including Brits without residency, owning properties on the island as it makes it impossible for locals to buy homes. Despite anti-tourism protests across Spain, The Mirror reported earlier this week that foreign acquisitions of Spanish real estate had dipped only marginally by 0.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year, according to fresh data from Spain’s Association of Registrars.
Brits accounted for 8.4 percent of international sales, outstripping Germans at seven percent and Moroccans at 6.1 percent. Overseas buyers made up 14.8 per cent of all property purchases, a slight decrease from 14.9 per cent in 2023.