Thousands of residents of the Canary Islands took to the streets on Sunday, May 18, voicing their frustration over the consequences of mass tourism. The demonstrations were held under the slogan “The Canary Islands Have a Limit,” according to Reuters.
Protesters called on authorities to curb the flow of tourists in order to protect the interests of the local population, which is facing rising housing costs, traffic congestion, and strain on public services. Some demonstrators also expressed concern over water shortages, which they say are being worsened by tourism.
The protests took place not only on the main islands of the archipelago but also in several cities on mainland Spain.
According to official data, the Canary Islands receive more than one million foreign tourists every month, while the permanent population of the region stands at around 2.2 million.
Spain, which welcomed a record number of tourists in 2024, expects even more visitors this year. Similar protests against overtourism have previously occurred in other popular destinations across the country — including Mallorca, Barcelona, and Malaga.
