Hikers on Tenerife Island Required to Pay a Fee - Hiker Finance Demand: Tenerife Proposes Monetary Contribution from Trekkers
Residents of the Canary Islands, especially in Tenerife, are expressing their concerns over the impact of mass tourism on their daily lives. A recent wave of protests witnessed participation from over 7,000 people in Tenerife, 3,000 in Gran Canaria, 1,500 in Lanzarote, and 1,000 in Fuerteventura. The cause? The escalating number of visitors has resulted in affordable housing shortages, congested streets, and deteriorated natural environments.
The pressure group "The Canary Islands Have a Limit" has initiated the protests, demanding stricter rent control and a halt to new tourist developments. Critics argue that the current tourism model excessively benefits investors while compromising the environment and local population, notably through escalating housing costs.
On Tenerife, authorities are taking measures to alleviate the challenges posed by surging tourist numbers. This includes limiting visitor access to popular hiking areas like Anaga and imposing constraints on tour buses. A similar approach is already in place at Teide, Spain's highest mountain, where an eco-tax is soon to be introduced to address littering and aid conservation efforts in the national park. The precise fee remains undisclosed.
From 2026, private vehicles will also be restricted in the Teide area, with electric shuttles for transporting visitors instead. Notably, the Teide cable car, the world's first to run on solar energy, will continue operating in this manner.
With 4.26 million foreign visitors in the first quarter, the Canary Islands are bracing themselves for another record tourist year, following 15.2 million visitors in 2024. Spain as a whole is witnessing a surge in tourism, with an estimated 17.1 million international guests in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year.
While tourism significantly contributes to the local economy (accounting for about 35% of the GDP), residents are calling for sustainable practices that ensure a harmonious balance between economic growth, environmental preservation, and the well-being of the local community. Efforts are underway to address these concerns, with government responses, community protests, and long-term solutions currently in the works to ensure the future of the Canary Islands remains vibrant and resilient in the face of increasing tourism.
Small and medium-sized undertakings in the Canary Islands, particularly in the tourism sector, are under scrutiny due to the impact on the local lifestyle and environment. The Canary Islands Have a Limit pressure group suggests that stricter regulations and sustainable practices are necessary to protect the well-being of the community, addressing issues such as affordable housing shortages, congested streets, and environmental degradation. On the other hand, tourism continues to contribute significantly to the regional economy, emphasizing the need for policies that strike a balance between economic growth and environment preservation.
