The Canary Islands received more than 18.4 million visitors in 2025 (Gobierno de Canarias, 2026). The massive number of visitors and the current hotel and tourism policies development have resulted in heavy impacts on resident satisfaction, areas of natural beauty, water resources, solid waste management, pressure on infrastructure, and a high dependence on overseas suppliers. More recently, COVID-19 restrictions and the eruption in La Palma highlighted the overdependence on tourism in the Canary Islands.
Sustainable tourism in the Canary Islands would address and work to improve the environmental and social issues caused by decades of mass tourism. Methods such as supporting small businesses that are not run by international hotel companies, holding hotel companies responsible for their extreme water usage and pollution, and protecting areas of natural beauty.
Freely available opinion pieces, in both English and en Español, about Sustainable and unsustainable tourism in the Canary Islands
El lado oscuro del turismo sostenible Cuna del Alma, Islas Canarias
“Cuna del Alma” es un hotel de lujo planeado para el Puertito de Adeje, en el sur de Tenerife, promocionado como un complejo turístico sostenible. Ha sido objeto de controversia desde que comenzaron las obras. Desde abril de 2024 se han producido protestas masivas contra este proyecto y el mode
The dark side of sustainable tourism: Cuna del Alma, Canary Islands
“Cuna del Alma” is a planned luxury hotel in Puertito de Adeje, in southern Tenerife, selling itself as a sustainable resort. It has been at the centre of controversy since construction began. Mass protests against this project and the economic model it represents have been ongoing since April 2
About our Cuna del Alma research
Cuna del Alma is the proposed ‘eco-resort’ promoting ‘sustainable tourism’ to be developed in the Puertito de Adeje area, Tenerife. This small coastal area is one of the few currently untouched natural spaces found in the south of the island. We have worked with local, national, and international experts and institutions to analyse the impacts of the proposed resort these findings have been written up in a scientific report, and we present the highlights of this research in a highly interactive format to ensure maximum engagement. Our focus is always on the residents affected by large-scale projects of this type.
Our multimedia analysis project includes the following:
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3D Models of the proposed site and the marine environment
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Timeline of El Puertito land use and the Cuna del Alma project
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Interactive map of the Vegetation, Marine Life, and Geology in El Puertito
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Drone footage of the marine habitat of Puertito de Adeje
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Video interviews and testimonials from residents and experts
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A detailed report on the impact of this project on the people and environment
