Canary Islanders Rally for Hunger Strike to Combat Overtourism Impact on Local Living Costs
Residents of the Canary Islands are uniting in hunger strikes to resist the negative effects of tourism, pointing to escalating living expenses and ecological harm as key concerns.
Locals in the Canary Islands are coming together to protest against too much tourism, saying that visitors are making it too expensive for them to live there and are also harming the environment.
The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean near Africa, have always been a favorite place for vacations because of their pleasant weather all year round.
Tourist numbers have significantly increased in the last decade, from 11.5 million per year to around 16 million per year, as reported by local environmental organization Fundación Canarina. This has led many locals to feel that the islands are being overexploited.
One group called Canarias Se Agota has initiated a hunger strike starting Thursday, urging support from the community. They have also called on people to join together in forming a human chain to demonstrate their support.
"By participating in the human chain, each individual is sending a powerful message to the government: The Canary Islands refuse to compromise their future," a Facebook post declared on Wednesday.
Courtesy Fondation Cesar Manrique
Courtesy Fondation Cesar Manrique
Courtesy Fondation Cesar Manrique
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Local conservation group Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza (ATAN) is organizing a protest on April 20. They are concerned about the environmental and social problems they see happening.
Environmental group Ecologists in Action will also join the protest. They believe that the negative impacts are due to unsustainable tourism, such as holiday rentals and second homes, which are making it difficult for locals to afford housing.
The group points fingers at local authorities for giving the green light to big tourist projects that make existing problems worse, like worsening water shortages.
According to the group's statement, tourist facilities like swimming pools and golf courses consume huge quantities of water. This is a growing concern as rainfall diminishes and dry spells lengthen because of climate change.
"Next Saturday, on April 20th, we will march in the streets to fight for what should be obvious: to regain control of a situation that is overwhelming us and forcing us out of our own home," states the announcement.
"It is high time we demand a different approach and make it clear, once again, from every corner of the islands, that the Canary Islands have reached their limit."
Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple, background, in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple, background, in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Thanassis Stavrakis/AP
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Surging visitor numbers
Golfers in Tenerife in March 2011.
Golfers in Tenerife in March 2011.
Local government officials have suggested a discussion involving politicians, academics, and citizens to create a tourism plan focused on social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
"The goal is to form a panel of specialists to develop shared standards," stated Jéssica de León, who serves as the minister for tourism and employment in the Canary Islands regional government.
In addition, De León has put forward a proposal for a new legislation that would bring in fresh regulations for vacation rentals.
Concerns about the impact of tourism are not exclusive to the Canary Islands. Many popular tourist destinations worldwide have seen a surge in visitor numbers as the travel industry rebounds from the effects of the pandemic.
Such surges in tourism can bring benefits to local economies and hospitality businesses, but they also have drawbacks. These include increased noise, pollution, traffic, and strain on resources, as well as a lower quality of life for locals and a diminished visitor experience.
To address the challenges of overtourism, many popular tourist destinations have implemented initiatives and restrictions. These measures may include new or higher tourist taxes, campaigns to discourage problematic visitors, and limits on the number of people allowed at popular attractions.
Barcelona, a city in Spain, took early action to manage tourism by stopping the construction of new hotels in the city center, limiting short-term room rentals, and shutting down a port terminal to cruise ships in October 2023.
Editor's P/S:
The Canary Islands' struggle with overtourism highlights a complex and pressing issue faced by many popular destinations. While tourism can provide economic benefits, it can also have detrimental impacts on the environment and the quality of life for local residents. The concerns raised by groups such as Canarias Se Agota and ATAN underscore the need for sustainable tourism practices that balance the interests of tourists with the well-being of the local population and the preservation of the natural environment.
It is encouraging to see local authorities in the Canary Islands recognizing the need to address overtourism and working towards solutions. The proposed discussion panel and new legislation for vacation rentals demonstrate a commitment to finding a balance between tourism development and the preservation of the islands' unique character. However, it is crucial that all stakeholders, including government officials, tourism businesses, and local residents, collaborate effectively to implement and enforce sustainable tourism policies. Only through such collective efforts can the Canary Islands continue to be an attractive destination while ensuring the long-term well-being of its communities and ecosystems.
