As summer rolls around, typically a boon period for Spain’s tourist sector, this year’s story is unique. The surge in tourist numbers has reached the pre-COVID era, even exceeding it in certain instances, pushing the nation to what appears as a critical juncture.
This coming Saturday, across the Canary Islands, thousands plan on rallying in public to call for the cessation of tourism-related development – a first in the archipelago’s history. Just last week, on the island of Tenerife, six demonstrators took up a hunger strike against the local government’s decision to proceed with two grand tourism projects.
“We’re running out of time,” voiced Víctor Martín, the spokesperson for the hunger strikers as well as the activist collective Canarias Se Agota (Canary Islands Can’t Take More), to the media earlier this week. “Not only is the wellbeing of the hunger strikers in jeopardy – the Canary Islands’ future is dangling on the edge. Put an end to this rush towards the brink and put a halt on tourism activities.”
Martín, along with his co-protesters, are seeking a stoppage to the building of the La Tejita hotel and the Cuna del Alma mega-resort based in southern Tenerife, with no more projects to be commended until there’s a conversation around the islands’ tourist structure has been initiated.
In 2023, the Canary Islands played host to 13.9 million offshore visitors, which was over six times their entire resident population. Over five million hailed from the UK, with Germany and France following closely. The fourth biggest group of overseas visitors to the islands were from Ireland, numbering over 700,000.
“The rate of tourists since 2022 has been astounding – I’ve never seen such a phenomenon,” Martín shared. “We are oversaturated and the region can’t bear more influx. The tourists aren’t to blame. They merely buy their tickets to arrive here. It’s the fault of local governance who aren’t putting a cap on this.”
According to Martín and his co-activists, the adverse effects of these tremendous numbers are numerous: overcrowded towns, beaches and roads lead to less liveability on the islands; the famed natural habitats are in danger; and locals bear socio-economic consequences as well.
However, the feeling of displeasure isn’t limited to the Canary Islands.
Prominent geographical professor Ábel López Díaz from Tenerife’s La Laguna University has voiced concerned, commenting on a visible tourism surge in Barcelona, parts of Andalucía, the Balearic and Canary Islands that is evident across nearly all of Europe. The professor acknowledges the essential role of tourism on economies, but argues for the need of balancing resource management, economic sustainability, and social impact to ensure a more sustainable type of tourism.
Spain, welcoming a total of 85 million tourists last year, an increase of 2% from 2019, owes 13% of its GDP to tourism, signifying the sector’s immense impact on their booming economy. Barcelona, a particularly popular destination on mainland Spain, has been struggling for years to find a balance between its tourist influx, avoiding capitulation, and maintaining the city’s unique atmosphere.
Regrettably, local businesses are falling victim to the tourism boom, often outcompeted by gimmicky souvenir shops and mainstream restaurant chains. As Paul Slevin, an Irishman who has lived in Barcelona for 15 years and owns the Dinamo language academy, lamented, the city once boasted an array of unique, old-fashioned Spanish bars, but they’re disappearing, making way for a more generic and watered-down city centre.
The increase in cruise ship visitors has also been a contentious point, particularly in Barcelona. Last year the city saw more than 3.5 million tourists from liners, many of whom only spent a few hours in the densely populated city centre. The figures are expected to rise even more this year, with more than 900 cruise ships lined up for a visit.
The former left-wing mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, took initiative to curb the onslaught of tourism. She put restrictions on hotel accommodation in certain city regions and shut down 6,000 unlawful vacation homes. A year ago, Colau was succeeded by socialist Jaume Collboni – seen as more business-friendly than his predecessor, yet intent on continuing similar strategies.
Locals of Barcelona and Canary Islands have shown open resistance against increasing tourism. Protest graffiti has sprung up in various places. Last year, the residents took a stand by obstructing the entrance to Güell Park – a notable city attraction. As the tourist rush is expected to exacerbate this year, Barcelona and the greater Catalonia region faces an exacerbating drought – the worst they’ve ever experienced. A state of emergency has been declared, necessitating the restriction of water usage. Activists last month highlighted the increased strain tourism puts on this limited resource by temporarily suspending the water supply to Barcelona’s Tourism Consortium.
As James Slevin remarks, locals don’t mind visitors who behave decently. What they resent is low-budget, rowdy tourism such as stag and hen parties. This viewpoint seems to be shared by the local government and industry associates.
The president of the Tourism Consortium, Jordi Clos, a public-private organisation, emphasises the need to pivot the type of tourism Barcelona catering to. He highlighted recently the importance of steering clear of mass tourism, which disturbs the city, overcrowds places such as the Ramblas boulevard and whose contribution to the local economy is negligible.
The political sphere in Barcelona has seen heated debates over the issue. Ada Colau’s party’s strong objection to the construction of a new entertainment hub in Tarragona eventually led to the termination of the regional legislature in Catalonia.
Víctor Martín exhibits concern over the less than ideal living conditions of those who are a part of the otherwise praised tourism model, particularly in regards to the housing market which has been massively impacted by the tourism influx. Shortages in housing have led to surges in rental prices. This has been exacerbated further due to the rise of tourist apartments contributing to the increasing rental rates in numerous areas.
The economic disparity on the Balearic island, Ibiza, has been more evident of late, with low salaries paired against a low unemployment rate. The island has seen a surge in rents since the outbreak of the pandemic, causing them to rise by 40-50% within just a year. This drastic shift in cost of living has led to severe circumstances. Some individuals commute daily from other areas within the Balearics, while others, including a few junior police officers, resort to sleeping in vehicles.
The local Ibiza government, which depends on tourism for 84% of its economy, holds holiday apartments responsible for the housing dilemma. They have implemented a minimum six-month term for each rental, but it has been systematically violated by homeowners who let out their properties for brief periods.
A similar situation is unfolding in the Canary Islands. With a yearly average salary of €23,000 – the second lowest in Spain – numerous salaried locals find themselves unable to enter the housing market.
“There’s a commonly held belief that our tourism model is faultless, but those who operate within this model are actually residing in shanty towns,” says Víctor Martín. He goes on to say that the fact many employees are resorting to sleeping in cars, tents, and even caves, shows that we’ve crossed our limit.
Many like Martín anticipate the protests happening on the Canary Islands this weekend will incite significant changes in how the archipelago, and Spain overall, handle a constantly blooming industry.