19-05-2025
Irish holidaymakers trapped as tourism protests rock the Canary Islands
Thousands of Canary Islanders took to the streets yesterday in protest over tourism in the region.
In Tenerife, one local carried a placard with the slogan: 'My misery is your paradise.' Another said the archipelago 'is no longer a paradise' thanks to tourists.
Thousands of holidaymakers, including Irish, are currently visiting the islands, where demonstrations began at 11 am, with many tourists not daring to leave their accommodation, despite the presence of dozens of armed police. Protests are taking place across the Canary Islands. Pic: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images
One, from Ireland, said he was too scared to leave his Airbnb. Alberto Babo, 32, said: 'I didn't go out today due to the protests, I'm stuck in my Airbnb to avoid the crowds.
'I hope they are not violent or anything, but just to be safe, I'm here. All I can hear is the noise.'
The din was from people blowing on shells, banging drums and chanting, with slogans including: 'El dinero del turismo, donde está?', meaning 'The money from tourism, where is it?' One placard being carried in the crowd read: 'Stop excessive tourism. This is our home.' Protests are taking place across the Canary Islands. Pic: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images
Another said 'tourists swim in s***', referencing the large amount of sewage water that is dumped into the sea – the majority of it, activists say, coming from hotels and tourist accommodation. Other placards in Spanish said: 'Don't sell your homes to guiris!' Guiri is a Spanish slang word for tourists.
Solidarity protests are also taking place in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. The Canary Islands have a population of 2.2 million people, but welcome about 18 million holidaymakers each year, which locals say is placing a strain on resources.
Activists are calling for a cap on the number of tourists to prevent overcrowding and resource depletion. Among their other demands is a ban on any new hotels or tourism apartment complexes, and the immediate demolition of projects already declared illegal.
Among the protesters was Paula McKnight Morales, 39, whose father is from the US but who grew up on the islands. The swimming instructor said: 'Spain has become the after-party for Europe, and Tenerife has more tourists per year than Brazil.
'We don't have room. Since our historic protest last year, the government has done nothing; they have actually increased the number of tourists coming, and we don't have enough room.
'The number of Airbnbs is too high, and there is nowhere to rent; it is catastrophic for the island.'
Reporting by Laurence Dollimore
