Last year, residents organized several protests to draw attention to the impact of overtourism on local infrastructure and housing availability. This weekend, the people of Spain's Canary Islands are mobilizing once again to voice their concerns about mass tourism. The archipelago's inhabitants have become increasingly vocal about the challenges posed by rising visitor numbers. Despite last year's protests, locals feel that insufficient action has been taken to address the issue, prompting them to continue their efforts this summer.
On Sunday, May 18, residents of the Canary Islands will join demonstrations organized by the campaign group Canarias tiene un lÃmite (The Canary Islands have a limit) to protest against overtourism.
Demonstrations will take place across all the islands of the archipelago and in several cities throughout Spain. Protests will start at 11 a.m. on the seven main Canary Islands—El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura—and at 12 p.m. in mainland cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. Residents of Berlin, Germany, are also planning to join the protests in solidarity.
Why are the residents of the Canary Islands protesting? The organizers state that they are opposing the current economic model, which they believe is "based on overtourism, speculation, inequality, and the pursuit of infinite growth on very limited land."
They are advocating for a shift towards a people-centered and environmentally sustainable model that honors the ecological and social needs of the archipelago. Specifically, they are demanding an end to harmful hotel developments throughout the islands and the construction of a motor circuit in Tenerife. They seek a moratorium on new tourist projects, guaranteed access to healthcare and housing for residents, and the implementation of an effective ecological tourist tax.
Additionally, the group is calling for immediate measures to reduce marine pollution and the establishment of an environmental restoration law.
In March, the Canary Islands welcomed a record number of tourists, with authorities reporting over 1.55 million foreign visitors, a 0.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
The Canary Islands National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that the total number of international tourists in the first quarter of 2025 reached 4.36 million, marking a 2.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. This rise in tourist numbers occurs despite numerous protests by local residents against mass tourism last year. Similar demonstrations have already occurred this year; during Easter, approximately 80,000 hospitality workers in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro went on strike in a pay dispute with unions.
