In the Canary Islands, thousands of people took to the streets to demand a change in the mass tourism model that has shaped their socioeconomic landscape. The demonstrations, held under the slogan ‘The Canary Islands have a limit’, saw a unified call for transformation in a scene reminiscent of historical mobilizations in the community.
The protests started at 12:00 p.m. across the archipelago, except in La Palma where it was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Similar demonstrations also took place in various Spanish and European cities. Early in the day, Canarians gathered in Puerta del Sol to criticize the economic model that they feel is pushing them out of their land.
In The Gran Canarian palms, thousands of people marched along Las Canteras promenade while others did so on other islands. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a significant crowd gathered in Weyler square with constant streams of travelers getting off packed trams and buses.
The origins of the marches stem from concerns about the exhaustion of the archipelago’s economic engine, which contributes 35% to GDP and nearly 40% of employment. Demands include a moratorium on tourism development, an ecotax on foreigners purchasing property and regulation of housing purchases by foreigners among others. As weeks have passed, this discourse has expanded to encompass issues such as poverty, low wages, rising rental prices and strain on natural spaces and road infrastructure.
