Residents of the Canary Islands plan to hold large-scale protests this weekend against overtourism and the current economic model, which they believe is harming the islands. This was announced by the movement’s organizers.
The main grievance of the protesters is the economic model based on excessive tourism, speculation, inequality, and endless growth on a limited territory. They demand a shift to a more sustainable development strategy focused on people and the environment.
Protests will take place on all seven main islands of the archipelago — El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura — starting at 11 a.m. Similar demonstrations are scheduled for noon in several major Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. A solidarity protest is also planned in Berlin.
The protesters are calling for a ban on new large hotel construction projects and a racetrack on Tenerife, a moratorium on new tourism developments, guaranteed access to healthcare and housing for residents, and the introduction of an ecological tourism tax. They also demand measures to protect the marine environment and laws for ecological restoration.
Meanwhile, the Canary Islands continue to break records in tourist numbers. In March of this year, the islands welcomed over 1.55 million foreign visitors — 0.9% more than the previous year. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of international tourists reached 4.36 million, up 2.1% compared to 2024.
