British Tourists Beware: Canary Island Residents Fight Overtourism
With increasing tourist numbers in Spain, the issue of overtourism is once again rearing its head. Residents across the Canary Islands are ready to protest and strike against overtourism, which is endangering their quality of life.
Mass protests are planned for April 20, 2024 in five of the eight islands. Protest rallies will be held simultaneously in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma.
British holidaymakers visiting the Canary Islands for a mid-April break should be aware of protests and anti-tourist sentiment.
Advocates argue that the excessive number of visitors is negatively impacting the quality of life in this popular vacation destination. They demand for measures to control tourism growth, citing the negative impacts of excessive visitors on local infrastructure and community well-being.
The biggest tourist markets for the islands are the UK and Germany, although they are also a popular destinations for mainland Spaniards.
The Spanish National Statistics Institute reports that Spain welcomed around 17 million British tourists last year. Among them, the Canary Islands drew the highest proportion, with 31 percent, followed by the Balearic Islands with 21 percent.
Similar concerns about overtourism are echoed in other parts of Spain, such as Barcelona and Ibiza, where residents are grappling with housing shortages and community disruptions caused by the influx of tourists and holiday rentals.
Housing Crisis
Worries about overtourism extend beyond just these islands.
The “Airbnb effect” has wreaked havoc on residents in cities, especially in popular destinations. With properties being snapped up for short-term holiday rentals, the availability of long-term housing units has dwindled, resulting in a severe housing shortage and the disruption of local communities.
Stories abound now of workers in Tenerife sleeping rough in tents or even caves because they either can’t find or can’t afford to rent an apartment.
The local government acknowledges these concerns and is actively seeking solutions to address the issue without compromising tourist income.
Proposals under discussion include limiting the issuing of short-term home rental licences, encouraging salary increases, and imposing entry fees on protected areas. However, whether these efforts will be effective in mitigating the mounting unhappiness is unknown.
Do you need to renew your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.
Check out the offers and discounts from:
And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.
IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries
If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.
Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.
- Italy's Citizenship Laws To Be Eased: What It Means For Non-EU Nationals - 2 October 2024
- Qatar Joins US Visa Waiver Program - 1 October 2024
- Countdown to the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery: What You Need to Know - 30 September 2024