Growing tensions in the Canaries come parallel to Ryanair launching a new Cork-Fuerteventura route, amid fears of restrictions and tourism limits.
Last year, 15.5 million tourists visited the Canaries. Tenerife is very popular, with over 6.2 million foreign tourists and about 900,000 domestic visitors. Gran Canaria had nearly 4 million overseas visitors.
Locals protested “over-tourism” last year, with thousands marching in the streets using the slogan “Canary Islands has a limit.” Residents also protested at hotels and beaches.
Protesters want a holiday home freeze to stop locals being priced out. They also want a tourist tax for foreign visitors to better protect natural areas, and higher wages to create fairer wealth distribution from tourism. A ban on new hotels could happen.
Ryanair announced a new Cork to Fuerteventura route as part of their summer schedule plans. These plans include more flights on 14 other routes.
Gran Canaria is asking locals about tourism and they can answer a survey until February 28. Many want to stop new hotels, thinking it strains resources and housing. Others want to protect Gran Canaria’s nature and halt damaging projects.
The consultation might change island tourism, which makes up 35% of their GDP.
No hotel ban exists yet, and it might not become permanent. Still, prices could rise due to demand, and available spaces might decrease.
Other European areas also protest tourism. Malaga recently started “tourist bans,” and new holiday rentals can’t register there now.
