Clavijo stated that they have been speaking with the EU about putting specific conditions in place that allow the government to continue taking steps in the Canary Islands strategy, which they explained they have set to respond to the housing emergency.
Why are residents protesting against tourism in the Canary Islands?
Why are residents protesting against tourism in the Canary Islands?
Residents of the Canary Islands are protesting against the current tourism model that they say has priced them out of housing and forced them into precarious work. Demonstrations will happen on Sunday across the 7 main islands, home to 2.2 million people, as well as several places in Spain and one in Berlin, Germany. The tourism industry accounts for ~35% of the Canary Islands’ GDP. In March 2025, 1.7 million tourists travelled to the island, 32% from the British Isles. Local residents agree the islands can’t survive without tourism; however, they question whether local communities and the environment will survive if things stay the same. The environmental group Ecologists in Action showed that more than one-third of the population (nearly 800,000 people) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
¿Por qué protestan los residentes contra el turismo en Canarias?
Los habitantes de las Islas Canarias protestan contra el actual modelo turístico, que les ha privado de vivienda y les ha obligado a trabajar en condiciones precarias. El domingo se celebrarán manifestaciones en las 7 islas principales, donde viven 2,2 millones de personas, así como en varios lugares de España y en Berlín (Alemania). El sector turístico representa alrededor del 35% del PIB canario. En marzo de 2025 viajaron a la isla 1,7 millones de turistas, el 32% procedentes de las Islas Británicas. Los residentes locales están de acuerdo en que las islas no pueden sobrevivir sin el turismo; sin embargo, se preguntan si las comunidades locales y el medio ambiente sobrevivirán si las cosas siguen igual. El grupo ecologista Ecologistas en Acción demostró que más de un tercio de la población (casi 800.000 personas) está en riesgo de pobreza o exclusión social.
Activists in Tenerife on the 11th of April marking the Beginning of the Hunger Strike (Europa Press/AP)
The Cabildo of Tenerife is now open to dialogue with the 18M groups and urges to “preserve” the island’s reputation
The Cabildo of Tenerife is now open to dialogue with the 18M groups and urges to “preserve” the island's reputation
Vice President and Councillor for Tourism in Tenerife, Lope Afonso, announced 48 hours before demonstrations that next week talks with Canarias Tiene Un Límite will begin.
El Cabildo de Tenerife se abre ahora a dialogar con los colectivos del 18M e insta a “preservar” la reputación de la isla
El vicepresidente y consejero de Turismo de Tenerife, Lope Afonso, anunció 48 horas antes de las manifestaciones que la próxima semana comenzarán las conversaciones con Canarias Tiene Un Límite.
