In recent decades, the Canary Islands have experienced tremendous growth in tourism, a sector that today accounts for 35% of GDP and nearly 40% of employment opportunities on the islands. As tourism numbers continue to break records and governments and the hotel industry look forward to a prosperous future, dissatisfaction is growing among a portion of the local population. They are disturbed by excesses in the development model and believe that the carrying capacity of the islands has been reached. Has tourismophobia or “tourismophobia” returned to the Spanish archipelago?
The Canary Islands have just experienced their second best year on record. In 2023, 13.9 million foreign tourists visited the islands, an increase of 13% compared to 2022 and 6% more than in 2019 before the pandemic. In February 2024 alone, 1.4 million foreign tourists arrived, 14% more than in the same period of the previous year. They spent 2.2 billion euros during their stay, an increase of 22%.
Expectations for the summer of 2024 are high, with a 10% increase in the number of airline seats booked compared to 2023, to 12.1 million seats. These figures demonstrate the central role that tourism plays in the Canary Islands' economy.
Given the continued growth of the tourism sector and the islands' economic dependence on the industry, many policymakers and business people see further expansion as inevitable. However, criticism is increasing from other corners of society. A major demonstration against mass tourism is scheduled to be held on five islands on April 20 under the name #CanariasTieneUnLimite.
Despite the economic benefits, more and more Canary Islanders are voicing their concerns discontent About the negative side of mass tourism. The constant traffic jams in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the rise in house prices in urban and tourist areas, and the increase in the number of tourists in vulnerable natural areas, thanks to the Internet and social media, are the straw that breaks the camel's back. some examples:
- Many tourists cause problems on the islands. Traffic jams and high rental prices are a source of inconvenience to local residents.
- Social media ensures a huge influx of tourists to the islands' tranquil nature reserves. This has serious consequences for vulnerable ecosystems.
- Locals want a different tourism model. There are often protests against projects such as high voltage towers and oil exploration.
In addition to these structural problems, a number of recent events are also playing a role in the growing tensions surrounding tourism in the Canary Islands.
- More people are forced to leave the islands due to rising costs. Many believe that the Canary Islands have become too expensive for locals.
- There have been some recent dramatic incidents involving tourists who were protesting upon arrival at airports. Although most protests have been peaceful, these images have the hotel industry and governments concerned about the islands' reputation as a tourist destination.
Tourism phobia?
The hotel industry and regional administrators fear that such protests and… Negative reports It can have a negative impact and discourage tourists. They call for calm and warn of the danger of “tourism phobia.”
At the heart of the protest is the belief that the current economic model, which relies heavily on mass tourism, has become exhausted. The costs to the living environment and society are seen as very high.
Critics say the Canary Islands' economy remains one-sidedly focused on facilitating tourism, while other sectors lag behind. They demand greater diversification and investments in sustainable, high-quality sectors.
The downside of the tourism boom is environmental problems such as overloading of nature reserves, pollution and depletion of resources such as water and energy. The departure of countless islanders who can no longer afford to live there is also a cause for concern.
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