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Thousands Protest Against Tourism in the Canary Islands, Citing Housing and Environmental Concerns Thousands of people rallied across the Canary Islands on Sunday, voicing concerns over the impacts of mass tourism on their communities, Sky News reports. Protests took place in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and El Hierro, calling for changes to the tourism model. In Tenerife’s Playa de las Americas, demonstrators disrupted tourists on the beach, chanting, "This beach is ours.” Activists argue that the influx of millions of tourists has driven up housing costs, making it difficult for locals to afford homes, while also straining natural resources. The Canary Islands, with a population of 2.2 million, saw nearly 10 million tourists from January to September, according to Spanish statistics. Sara Lopez, a protester in Gran Canaria, emphasized the need for a tourism model that enriches the local economy while valuing the islands' natural beauty. Other Spanish regions like Barcelona, Mallorca, and Malaga have also seen similar protests against tourism's negative effects on local communities. The Canary Islands' regional government is drafting a law to regulate short-term rentals, aiming to protect local housing availability. New properties will be barred from entering the short-term rental market, and existing owners will need to comply with new rules, giving neighbors the right to oppose permits.
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