The new rules that UK tourists may find themselves facing in the Canary Islands, following a series of protests, have been revealed.
This weekend saw thousands of protestors demonstrating against what has been termed "overtourism" on the islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife and beyond. Locals who call the islands home are growing increasingly agitated by the surge of British visitors.
Across the Canary Islands, an angry anti-tourist sentiment has been escalating in recent months, with residents declaring that "enough is enough". They assert that tourism in places like Lanzarote, Tenerife and other islands "has its limits".
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The onslaught of Brits heading to these holiday hotspots has triggered a torrent of local campaigns decrying the rise in tourism, featured through such actions like anti-tourist graffiti. The increase in UK holidaymakers has raised warnings regarding local housing prices being driven up and availability becoming scarce.
The seven main islands that constitute the Canaries are home to 2.2 million residents. Moreover, in 2023 they welcomed nearly 14 million international tourists, a figure up 13% from the previous year.
Visitor limits:
In response to this rising tide of visitors, the local authorities and government could possibly enforce new regulations and rules, reports Birmingham Live. Rosa Davila, who goes down in history as the first female president of Tenerife, suggested implementing visitor limitations.
She issued a warning stating: "In addition, there have to be limits to prevent tourism from overflowing." Tourism accounts for 35% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands, but demonstrators say changes to the industry must be made. Groups protested in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Palma on Saturday.
Eco-tax:
Davila proposed a new tourism model that would charge visitors a fee to access natural spaces. She is also advocating measures to "modulate" the number of tourists arriving in Tenerife - and "study the impact of demographic growth.
She said after the mass protests: "We must analyze the exceptionalities that can be applied in a territory as fragile and limited as ours. What is clear is that Tenerife cannot be a theme park. Those who visit us have to value and respect our natural and cultural wealth, our resources, and they have to be clear about the rules for their preservation."
Daily tax:
President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, previously warned that a daily cost for visitors could be on the table. While not included in current plans, Clavijo said the government is willing to look at suggestions of a three euro per night charge.
He said last Friday: "It is true that the ecotax is not included in the government program, but it is also true that we are willing to discuss it; the government will always engage in dialogue."
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