The planned anti-tourism protest by locals is the latest in a number of similar gatherings that have taken place across multiple Spanish holiday destinations this year
Families hoping to make the most of half term this month by going on holiday have been warned over potential disruptions across the Canary Islands.
Earlier this year in April, anti-tourism protests took place across the islands and more are now reportedly planned for October 20. The demonstrations are due to happen in “key tourist areas” and coincide with World Tourism Day. Protests are set for locations including the Metropolis Commercial Centre in Playa Las Americas, Tenerife; Maspalomas in Gran Canaria; and Corralejo in Fuerteventura. While tourist ‘hubs’ have been specially selected to show the social challenges associated with tourism, reports Manchester Evening News.
Among the main concerns the demonstrators have are precarious working conditions, environmental degradation and unchecked construction. Ana, a spokesperson from the Abeque collective, told local news site Canarian Weekly that there is a need for tourists to understand how their visit impacts the islands. The demonstrations come after months of rising anti-tourism sentiment in Spanish holiday destinations. Protests were initially held in the Canary Islands on April 20 and followed by demonstrations in the Balearic Islands, also popular with tourists, across the summer.
Canarian Weekly reported that Jaime Coello Bravo, director of the Telesforo Bravo Canary Foundation, said the Canary Islands government “has not engaged with them since the first protest on April 20, instead using vague terms like ‘reinterpretation’ and ‘sustainable tourism’ to delay real change.” It went on: “Coello believes the situation demands immediate action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by the current model.”
The demonstrations are set to coincide with an expected announcement from the government on the findings of five working groups formed to explore alternatives to the current economic model. Protest groups argue that the current mode, “prioritises mass tourism at the expense of the environment and the quality of life for residents”.
Canarian Weekly added: “As the October 20 rally approaches, it is clear that the debate over the Canary Islands’ economic future is far from settled. Protesters vow to keep taking to the streets until their voices are heard, pushing for a more sustainable and socially just model for the region.”
In August, British woman living in Mallorca took to TikTok to claim the locals don’t “hate” tourists. Graffiti reading “tourists go home” had appeared across both mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands in recent months. Ottilie Quince, who owns and runs a bike shop on the island, interviewed tourists in a series of videos, asking them how they feel since the protests. In the one clip, Ottilie asked an Australian visitor if she felt safe in Mallorca, who responded: “Totally, I’ve never felt safer,” and described the island as “the best place ever”.
