Canary Islands: Tourism’s Paradoxical Impact on Locals Amidst Record-Breaking Figures

The Canary Islands are facing a paradoxical situation that is becoming increasingly common in tourist destinations worldwide. Tourism has become the backbone of the economy, contributing over 35% to the GDP and sustaining the entire productive fabric of the third Spanish destination by number of visitors. However, many residents, including 40% of workers in the sector, are questioning if there are already too many tourists arriving. This concern intensifies with each family that is forced to leave their neighborhood due to rising housing prices, each time they encounter crowded hospital emergencies or with each new hotel project that threatens the landscape.

The result was a historic demonstration on the seven islands of the archipelago under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.” Over 57,000 people took to the streets to demand measures such as an ecotax, a moratorium on new projects or greater regulation of home purchases. The protest was not against tourism itself but against its negative impacts from overdevelopment and poor planning. Despite record-breaking tourism figures, challenges remain like low salaries, high unemployment rates, inflation and poverty risk.

The government of Canaries acknowledged the need for change and imposed tourist caps on some protesters’ demands. However, critics doubted their willingness to change. In addition to this crisis, there is also a housing crisis in which increasing prices are driving locals out of their neighborhoods. To address this issue, legislation has been introduced to regulate vacation rental properties but more needs to be done to ease pressure on local populations and economies.

Tourism remains an essential part of the economy in Canaries providing jobs and prosperity for residents. However, sustainable tourism practices and a balanced approach have become increasingly important as mass tourism continues to impact this paradise island destination.