Anti-tourism protesters in Tenerife have vowed to ramp up their demonstrations this summer after the Canary Islands saw a surge of two million visitors last year
Anti-tourism campaigners in Tenerife have pledged to intensify their protests this summer, following a surge of two million visitors to the Canary Islands last year. The demonstrations, spearheaded by Canary Island locals, began in 2024 with tens of thousands taking to the streets demanding changes, arguing that the archipelago was “reaching its limit”.
Initially, these protests were focused in areas less dependent on tourism, such as the capital, Santa Cruz, and were strategically planned to take place before the tourist season reached its peak. However, due to what they perceived as “lack of action” from the island’s leadership, the protesters changed their approach.
In October, they targeted popular tourist destinations frequented by Brits, like Playa De Las Americas, in the hope of prompting policy changes to restrict visitor numbers and second homes. Despite the global attention drawn by the initial wave of protests, it did not deter foreign tourists from visiting the Canary Islands. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Ivan Cerdena Molina, an activist in the protest movement and member of the local environmental group ATAN, expressed his dismay that despite demonstrations, tourism to his homeland increased last year.
He said: “We had 16 million tourists [in the Canaries] in 2023 and 18 million in 2024. In 2025, the number is increasing again. The government didn’t do anything; it just spoke nice words with no real action.”
When asked what advice he would give to Brits considering a holiday in the Canary Islands this year, Ivan was forthright. He explained: “The situation is really critical, no-one who wants to enjoy holidays with peace would come to a collapsed and congested island, it’s simple there are too many people everywhere.
“Local people are really tired and angry, they are showing it. If we can ask something, it would be, please don’t come, we cannot take it anymore.”
Ivan and fellow campaigners have announced a major protest as the peak season approaches in the Canaries’ popular areas. A press release on May 18 titled, “the Canaries have a limit”, revealed that activists were intensifying their efforts.
The statement read: “From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated.”
The group have pledged to disrupt public events, confront political figures, and occupy iconic tourist sites to demonstrate their resolve for meaningful change. The movement is set to kick off with protests on Sunday, May 18, which are expected to spread across the islands.
This wave of activism, extending beyond Tenerife, aims to transform the Canary Islands from a mere tourist destination to a region prioritising sustainable growth over profit-driven hardship.
The activists said: “The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few.
“We are the Canarian people – a people who will not give up until we achieve the change we deserve. On May 18, the fight continues in the streets. What comes next will be impossible to ignore.”
Ahead of the protests in Tenerife, a separate “massive” tourism protest is scheduled to take place in Mallorca on May Day, Thursday, May 1. Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets to express their opposition to the Balearic government’s policies on housing and mass tourism. Trade unions are gearing up for “the most militant demonstration in years.”