October 20th 2024.
Today, thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against mass tourism in the Canary Islands. As the sunbathing tourists looked on, the anti-tourism protesters marched across the islands, raising their voices and making their voices heard.
In Tenerife, the marchers took an unexpected route and made their way to Troya Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Las Americas. As they marched, they chanted "Canarias No Se Vende," which translates to "The Canary Islands Are Not For Sale." They also beat drums, blew whistles, and waved the Canary Island flags, while nearby tourists, including Brits, enjoyed their day in the sun.
The protesters had a clear message - they believe that there are too many tourists visiting the Canary Islands, and it's causing various issues. One protester even carried a sign that read, "Enjoying a day at your pool? That water could be going on food." Another sign stated, "The Canaries have a limit. More trees, less hotels."
Initial reports suggested that around 2,000 people participated in the Tenerife march, significantly less than the number of protesters in April. However, one protester, Brian Harrison, who moved to Tenerife from Wales in 1991, claimed that the turnout was much bigger and that we could "add a zero to that."
Similar protests also took place on other islands, including Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, and La Palma. In Gran Canaria, the protesters marched in Maspalomas, a popular tourist destination. The marchers were angry at politicians for failing to address the problems associated with mass tourism, such as a lack of affordable housing and environmental issues.
As the protesters walked past the hotels where most British tourists stay, some tourists watched from their rooftops. Some locals even took the opportunity to express their frustration by sticking their middle fingers up at the tourists, who sarcastically blew kisses back at them.
During the march, one protester was arrested and put in handcuffs, but it's unclear why. The protests also took place in Puerto del Carmen, a popular resort with both British and Irish tourists. However, the turnout was described as "disappointing" by a local newspaper, who noted that it didn't generate as much interest as the protest in April.
Before the protests began, the organizers criticized the regional and island governors for their "complete inaction" since the demonstrations six months ago. The locals want the government to introduce a tourist tax and put limits on the purchase of property by non-residents. They also want two illegal hotel projects in Tenerife to be stopped.
One speaker at the end of the Tenerife march said, "We need fewer hire cars, improvements in public transport, and we need to stop having so many people per square kilometer." He added, "Each new golf course, each new hotel, and each attack on our environment will only add more people to our fight."
The organizers chose to hold the protests in tourist areas to educate visitors about the serious problems facing the islands. They also hoped that it would put pressure on the politicians who promote the islands as a paradise. Brian Harrison stated that the decision to hold the protests in tourist areas was a significant one, as the 70 groups involved in the 20A movement are not against tourism, but they want to see more responsible and sustainable tourism.
Earlier this year, a group of activists went on a hunger strike for 20 days to protest against mass tourism. And now, as the protests continue, it has been announced that from next year, tourists visiting Tenerife will have to pay an eco-tax when visiting famous nature spots on the island. The Canary Islands may be a popular destination for Brits and Irish tourists, but the locals want to show them that it's not the paradise they've been sold. And they hope that these protests will bring about some much-needed change.
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