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Date Published: 25/02/2025

German airline boss agrees with Canary Islands residents protesting against mass tourism

Locals call for urgent limits as visitors flock to the islands in record numbers

The Canary Islands have witnessed a new surge in anti-tourism protests, with residents expressing concerns over the negative impacts of mass tourism on their communities. Demonstrations have erupted across the archipelago, highlighting issues such as environmental degradation, increased living costs and the erosion of local culture.

This latest protest, organised by Canarias Tiene Un Límite, was strategically timed to coincide with a tourism conference, drawing attention to the growing local dissatisfaction with unchecked visitor numbers. According to the group, the islands received 18 million tourists in 2024, a figure they deem completely unsustainable. "There are no limits in place, and tourism continues to grow unchecked, pushing the islands towards environmental and social collapse. We are swimming in polluted waters and stuck in traffic for hours on a daily basis, while tourism keeps expanding, worsening these issues," the organisation stated.

At the FVW Travel Talk tourism conference in Santa Cruz, the Commercial Director of prominent German airline Condor Airlines, Christian Lesjak, acknowledged the necessity of imposing limits on mass tourism in the Canaries and acknowledged the legitimacy of the concerns raised by protesters. "We are interested in the cultural and ecological integrity of the island because it is a product that needs to be protected," he stated.

This statement underscores a growing recognition within the travel industry of the need for sustainable tourism practices that balance economic benefits with the well-being of local populations.

Tensions between tourists and locals have been rising across Spain, with last year seeing instances of hostility towards visitors, from water pistol-toting protesters to anti-tourist graffiti. The sentiment has carried over into 2025, as residents demand urgent action to prevent further strain on the islands' resources and infrastructure.

In response to these challenges, some British tourists are exploring alternative destinations. Countries like Morocco have seen a rise in popularity among UK travellers, offering diverse cultural experiences and landscapes. This shift indicates a broader trend of holidaymakers seeking new locales, potentially easing the pressure on traditional hotspots like the Canary Islands.

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