The archipelago is being urged to follow the example of Majorca and Ibiza by introducing a tourist tax for the first time ever as well as restrict holiday lets.
The two issues are at the centre of ongoing controversy in the Balearics where visitors face paying twice as much per night from this summer following the decision by the islands’ government to double the so-called ecotax.
This will be an average of €3 a night.
These increases alone will bring in an extra €120m (£105) a year.
Harsh rules are also due to come into force in Majorca to severely limit the number of private homes which are rented out to holidaymakers as the growing trend is being blamed for tourist saturation.
The Canaries’ seven islands, which includes popular Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, have been liaising with the Balearics over a number of issues as the two archipelagos feel they share the same sort of problems.
Following a meeting in Palma between non-ruling Socialists, the Canary PSOE party is urging the government to consider introducing their own tourist tax and restrict holiday rents in the zones with the greatest pressure of demand.
Canary PSOE spokesperson Dolores Corujo said the islands could use the money for environmental protection, innovation, training and water sanitation.
She said: “It’s about the citizens knowing where the money goes.”
The Canaries attract 17 million tourists a year but unemployment is still at 21 percent, a figure described by Dolores Corujo as “unacceptable”.
In Majorca, zones are currently being drawn up to limit holiday rentals and will include the most popular areas such as Magaluf and Palmanova.
The government says it has to act because of overcrowding.
At one stage last summer, there were more people staying in Majorca than those who live there.
The Canary Islands is one of the few holiday destinations which does not charge visitors a daily tourist tax.
There are currently no concrete plans to do so in the near future, although pressure is mounting.
Hoteliers say it would be a great mistake to do so as it would seriously affect the competitiveness of the islands.