'Canarias tiene un límite' calls for the 3rd large scale protest

The collective ‘Canarias tiene un límite’ has called for new protests on May 18, 2025, against the current economic model based on tourism, speculation, and inequality. They criticize institutional inaction and warn of social, economic, and environmental collapse in the archipelago. The group also threatens to boycott public events, confront politicians, and occupy symbolic tourist spaces as pressure measures.(Cadena SER, 2025). All of the Canary Islands, except La Gomera, join the May 18 protests ((La Replública, 2025). Image sourced from @LOPE_AFONSO (2024)

Protests outside the German travel congress in Tenerife

Dozens of people protested in Santa Cruz de Tenerife against mass tourism during the “FVW Travel Talk” event. Demonstrators called for a more sustainable model and denounced tourism’s negative impact on the islands. Image coutesy of Cadena SER (2025)

Despite the new regulations the number of tourist apartments have grown

The number of tourist apartments in the Canary Islands surges by 21% following announcement of new regulations. The number of registered tourist apartments in the Canary Islands has grown by 21% since the government announced plans for new regulations, El País (2025). Thus raising concerns over the already stressed housing market and local affordability. Image courtesy of Rafa Avero, sourced from El Pais.

Salvar La Tejita has filed a environmental complaint against the Cuna del Alma project

Salvar La Tejita has filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office due to the damage caused by the continuation of the Cuna del Alma construction works in Puerto de Adeje. Bulldozers have been excavating within the Cardonal-Tabaibal habitat of El Puertito, home to the largest population of sad viborina and two archaeological sites (Salvar El Puertito, 2024). This complaint was filed ten days after a young man chained himself to one of the diggers on the Cuna del Alma site, causing the construction works to be temporarily suspended. After several hours of this protest, he voluntarily came off the digger and was arrested (Salvar El Puertito, 2024).

The second large-scale demonstration

Six months after the record-breaking demonstration on April 20th thousands returned to the streets for #20-O. Despite many political comments agreeing with the sentiment of earlier protests, activists complained no comprehensive measures have been implemented. Instead of the hotel moratorium they called for, several new luxury complexes have been given the green light. The Tenerife president fast-tracked an ``eco-tax`` but protesters say it's an entrance fee to Masca Gorge, not the global tourist tax they are fighting for. Further anger was stoked as the Cuna del Alma project was given official building permits. Local press put the number of protesters at 8,000, but our drone shots point to around 30,000 in Playa de las Américas. Photo credit Adriana Ariza Pardo MarineSciCamp student 2024

Puertito de Adeje becomes a site of geologic interest

Puertito de Adeje becomes a site of geologic interest by IGME Through the collaborative research campaign between GeoTenerife and GeoTenerife affiliated students, international researchers, and local experts we were able to demonstrate the geological importance of Puertito de Adeje. The outcrops of the ignimbrite in this location record a type of rare volcanic activity and are of great importance for understanding and mitigating volcanic risk in possible future explosive eruptions in Tenerife. Over 1000 residents have volunteered to sponsor this rock through IGME 'Adopt a rock' initiative. Read more here:

Cuna del Alma project resumes construction

The Adeje City Council officially granted the building permit for the Cuna del Alma tourism project, allowing construction to begin in El Puertito, south of Tenerife. The mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, set an 18-month deadline for the start of construction and a 48-month timeframe for the project's completion. Image sourced from Canarian Weekly (2024).

Protest in El Puertito.

On the 11th of August, Salvar El Puertito organised a protest at El Puertito. Protestors stripped the metal fence erected around the Cuna del Alma construction site. Although there has been no immediate response from the Cuna del Alma developers, the president of Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Davila, was interviewed the day after the protects in El Puertito and said “It is essential to review the current economic model so that the benefits of tourism revert to the citizens.” However, in response, employees, allegedly tore out the protected species Echium Triste on the 13th of August, in response to the protests. This was later denounced by the activist group Salvar La Tejita. Photo credit El Diario (2024).

Parliament discuss mitigating the impacts of tourism

The plenary session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands voted on April 24th regarding multiple measures to mitigate the impacts of the mass-tourism model on the economy, environment, and society. Only one of these proposals was approved: measures to ``promote the recovery of island and municipal planning``, and to ``promote limitations and fees for non-residents to access protected natural areas``. The latter has informally been referred to as an ``Eco-tax``. This ``Eco-tax`` has been controversial due to worries it will discourage visitors and because it does not charge all tourists who visit the islands but tourists who visit the areas of natural beauty. Photography by Flikr Parcan.

The first large-scale demonstration

On April 20 2024, some 200,000 Canarian people took to the streets to demonstrate against the unsustainable tourism model in the Canary Islands. Activists pointed to over-development putting limited resources under strain, the lowest wages in Spain, and a lack of affordable housing for locals. Despite record tourism numbers, a third of Canarians are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, with some living in cars or caves despite having a job. They called for a moratorium on more hotel buildings and an immediate stop to two contentious luxury resorts in Tenerife: La Tejita and Cuna del Alma. Six people went on hunger strike, and the protesters adopted the ``Canarias Se Agota`` mantra (The Canaries are Running Out). Photo credit Sharon Backhouse, Director of GeoTenerife.