Tenerife Braced for Angry Protests as Tourist Numbers Continue to Soar
Anti-tourism protesters in Tenerife are gearing up for another summer of demonstrations, as visitor numbers to the island continue to skyrocket. According to recent statistics, the island welcomed a staggering two million more tourists last year, bringing the total number of visitors to 18 million. The surge in tourism has sparked widespread frustration among locals, who claim that the island’s infrastructure and environment are being pushed to the limit.
The protests, which began in 2024, have been organised by Canary Islands natives who are calling for changes to the way tourism is managed on the island. The demonstrations, which have taken place in areas such as the capital, Santa Cruz, and tourist hotspots like Playa De Las Americas, are aimed at highlighting the strain that mass tourism is putting on the island’s resources. Ivan Cerdena Molina, an activist within the protest movement and a member of the local environmental organisation ATAN, expressed his frustration at the government’s lack of action, telling the Express: "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."
The protesters’ message to Brits planning a trip to the Canaries this year is clear: "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," Molina said. "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." The protesters are planning another massive demonstration at the beginning of peak season in the island’s tourist areas, with a press release announcing the action for May 18 stating: "From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated."
The "Canaries have a limit" coalition, a collection of organisations operating under this banner, has vowed to step up its protests and target tourist areas. The group has announced plans to boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances, and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that they will not stop until real change is achieved. As Molina stated: "We are the voice of those who reject false progress at the cost of widespread precarity. We are the Canarian people — a people who will not give up until we achieve the change we deserve."
The protests are not just about opposing tourism, but also about highlighting the need for sustainable and responsible tourism practices. The Canary Islands, and Tenerife in particular, have become a popular destination for British tourists, with many flocking to the island’s beaches and resorts. However, the surge in tourism has put a strain on the island’s infrastructure, with concerns about overcrowding, environmental degradation, and the impact on local communities.
The Express has reported that the protests are likely to have a significant impact on the island’s tourism industry, with many businesses and residents dependent on the sector. However, the protesters remain resolute in their determination to bring about change, stating: "The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few. On May 18, the fight continues in the streets. What comes next will be impossible to ignore." As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the people of Tenerife will not be silenced, and their message will be heard loud and clear.
