Importance Score: 65 / 100 š“
Canary Islands Face Overtourism Protests: What Travelers Need to Know
Coordinated overtourism protests are slated to occur across nearly the entire Canary Islands archipelago next week, but vacationers don’t necessarily need to abandon their plans. Following significant demonstrations last spring, protestors will return to the streets on May 18 in all but one of the seven islands, advocating for improvements in “water and housing” due to the strain increased tourism has placed on local resources and livelihoods. With British tourists comprising a substantial portion of the islands’ tourism market, accounting for 2.8 million arrivals on Lanzarote alone last year, a decline in visitor numbers may result from this unrest. However, tourists also have the option to adjust their travel strategies to show respect for the local population.
Navigating the Protests and Respecting Local Communities
Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at Holiday Extras, clarified that the Spanish islands are not necessarily against tourism, but rather, aggravated by the excessive consumption of water, scarcity of affordable housing, and challenges in ensuring tourism revenue benefits the local economy. He suggested, “Visitors who choose locally-owned accommodations, dine at local eateries, conserve water, and generally strive to live more similarly to residents can significantly lessen their impact.”
Tips for Responsible Travel
In addition to his core recommendations for a less disruptive vacation, Mr. McCauley encouraged tourists to travel during off-peak seasons to “alleviate strain on both local resources and goodwill.”
- Choose locally-owned accommodations
- Dine at local eateries
- Conserve water
- Travel during off-peak seasons
Potential Impact on Tourism
Last year’s demonstrations didn’t have a major effect in slowing the influx of international visitors to the Canary Islands and Spain overall. However, the repeated expression of feeling unwelcome could steer British tourists elsewhere this year, according to the travel expert.
“Past demonstrations have been loud, disruptive, and deliberately intended to affect services used by tourists,” he stated.
“Therefore, it’s likely that visitors during protest periods will experience some level of disruption.”
Shifting Traveler Sentiment
“Tourism to Tenerife decreased by 4% last year, as some tourists reacted to growing anti-tourism views ā similar to the decline in visitor numbers in Amsterdam and Barcelona, where indigenous people are also fighting back,” Mr. McCauley added.
“The message is clear: many tourists prefer destinations where they are well-received. Earlier this year, 29% of vacationers informed us that they were likely to alter their plans due to anti-tourist sentiments in certain locations, and 4% reported they already had.”
Underlying Socioeconomic Issues
Despite an increase in living costs, workers in the Canary Islands receive the lowest wages in Spain, even though the islands make a considerable contribution to the nation’s GDP. At a press briefing last month, union leaders stated that the imminent demonstrations will champion “social and labor rights” and will entail the “most forceful” action to date. These Canary Island protests highlight the complex interplay between tourism, local economies, and social justice efforts aimed at improving the lives of residents.