Canary Islanders demonstrate against the current tourism model

Las Palmas (Spain) May 18 - Local demonstrations are taking place across the Canary Islands today, organised by the Canarias tiene un límite (Canary Islands have a limit) movement. People are protesting against the current tourism model on the islands. According to local media reports, tens of thousands of people have gathered in the cities of the larger islands, and hundreds to thousands in smaller areas. There are families and all ages among them, photos show.

The movement has already organised similar events last April and October. The protests began on seven Canary Islands - El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. They have also been joined by residents of mainland Spanish cities such as Barcelona, ​​Madrid and Valencia, and have been supported by demonstrators in Berlin.

The organisers are criticising the current economic model, which they say is based on "excessive tourism, speculation, inequality and unlimited growth in a very limited area". They are seeking a transition to a model that is people-oriented, environmentally responsible and respects the ecological and social needs of the islands. Among other things, they want to stop "destructive hotel projects" on the islands and impose a moratorium on new tourist construction, guarantee access to health care and housing for residents, and introduce measures to limit marine pollution.

The movement believes that despite the demonstrations, the institutions are ignoring their demands. They are deepening the social, economic and ecological crisis, worsening the situation instead of solving it.

"We are not against tourism. We are in favor of a model that controls and measures the number of tourists we can accept on the islands, which are already overcrowded," said Helena Espinos, a representative of one of the organizing groups, ATAN. ​​The islands have a population of 2.2 million and were visited by around 18 million tourists last year. This number is expected to continue to increase.

WT.24