A Canary Island protest group has issued a four-word warning in its latest battle against overtourism. Activist group ‘Canarias Tiene un Limite’ (Canaries have a limit) warned “we will not stop,” as they announced 13 more demonstrations across Spain, the Canary Islands, and Europe on May 18.
Organisers called on political institutions for action after criticising “regressive legislation” that it believed has not solved the crisis. It warned: “We will not stop until we achieve the change of model the Canary Islands urgently need,” adding: “If they don’t listen in the streets, they’ll hear us in everyday life.” Protests will make a stand against an “unsustainable and exploitative economic model” of tourism, which groups argue has pushed the islands toward social, economic, and environmental collapse.
The activist group has made ten key demands, including an immediate halt to “destructive projects” and demolition of illegal developments.
It also called for a freeze on new tourist developments and stricter regulation on holiday lets to prevent locals from being displaced, and maintain Canarian culture and identity.
Protesters supported green energy but opposed large projects that they said could damage ecosystems, and instead called for community-led renewable energy, using rooftops, car parks, and already degraded land.
The campaign focused largely on the environment, calling for an end to marine pollution and the revival of abandoned buildings, former quarries, and degraded zones for conservation purposes.
Campaigners want to introduce a tourist tax that would be invested in conservation, and create jobs to help the islands become more self-sufficient for food.
It rejected infrastructure that it sees as purely tourist-led, such as roads and airports, and instead called for better public transport.
Planned protests on May 18
Canary Islands:
- Tenerife – Plaza Weyler, Santa Cruz, 11am
- Gran Canaria – Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, 11am
- Lanzarote – Quiosco de la Música, Arrecife, 11am
- Fuerteventura – Plaza de la Iglesia, Puerto del Rosario, 11am
- El Hierro – Consejería de Turismo, Valverde, 11am
- La Palma – Plaza de La Alameda, Santa Cruz de La Palma, 11am
- La Gomera – Plaza de Las Américas, San Sebastián, 11am
Mainland Spain and Europe
- Barcelona – Sagrada Familia, 12pm
- Madrid – Puerta del Sol, 12pm
- Granada – Plaza Santa Ana, 12:30pm
- Valencia – Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 12pm
- Bilbao – Plaza Teatro Arriaga, 12pm
- Pamplona (Iruña) – Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 12pm
- Santiago de Compostela – Alameda (As Dúas Marías), 12pm
- Berlin – Pariser Platz (Brandenburg Gate), 12pm