A new wave of anti-mass tourism protests are set to take place across the Canary Islands on May 18. A collective of organisations, known as Canarias Tiene Un Límite (The Canaries Have a Limit), has said it is tired of governments and institutions ignoring residents’ calls to crack down on visitor numbers.
However, one tourism association has sent a message of reassurance to tourists and future visitors to the island of Lanzarote. The president of the Lanzarote Loves Tourism Association, Augusto Ferreira, has sent a message to raise awareness among holidaymakers as to why the protests are taking place. The group was launched last year in a desperate bid to defend tourism and even organised a counter-demonstration.
“As far as the island of Lanzarote is concerned, we would like to inform you that these demonstrations will be peaceful and will not interfere with our visitors’ holidays,” said Ferreira.
“These are demands directed at the island’s administrators, not at tourists, who are not responsible for the management of the island and who, on the contrary, are a vital part of our development.
“We would like to reiterate that Lanzarote is a friendly, safe and welcoming place for all who visit us. Our people deeply value the tourism sector and every one of our visitors, who are essential to the progress of the Islands.”
The president added that the association will provide visitors with all the necessary information and are happy to address future visitors’ questions or concerns.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who choose us as their holiday destination and to invite you to discover and experience our people, our cuisine, our landscapes, and our culture. We are equally grateful for the respect you show toward our natural spaces and the unique beauty of our island.”
Lanzarote Loves Tourism launched in October 2024 in response to a demonstration that, according to Ferreira, threatened to “profoundly damage” the tourism sector in the archipelago.
The organisation organised a counter-demonstration and even took their message to international events like the World Trade Fair in London.
“Our goal was clear: to protect the essence of Lanzarote, ensure that tourism remains the economic and cultural engine of our island, and demonstrate that the future of tourism belongs to us all,” added Ferreira.
In 2024, almost 18 million people visited the Canary Islands, including nearly 6.3 million Brits.
Announcing next month’s protests, The Canaries Have a Limit group said: “The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few. 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. On May 18th, the fight continues in the streets. What comes next will be impossible to ignore.”