Britons urged ‘please don’t come’ as Canary Islands issues warning amid ‘critical’ tourism crisis
Anti-tourism protesters in the Canary Islands have issued a stark warning to British holidaymakers planning to visit the Spanish archipelago this summer.
Activists have vowed to ramp up demonstrations after visitor numbers surged from 16 million in 2023 to 18 million in 2024.
Local campaigners claim the islands are “reaching their limit” as tourist numbers continue to rise in 2025.
The protests began in 2024 with tens of thousands of locals taking to the streets to demand changes.
Activists have vowed to ramp up demonstrations
GETTY
Initially, demonstrations were concentrated in areas less dependent on tourism, such as the capital, Santa Cruz. Protesters timed their actions to occur before the peak tourist season.
However, due to what activists perceived as a “lack of action” from island leadership, they soon changed their approach.
Protesters then shifted their focus to popular tourist hotspots frequented by British visitors, including Playa De Las Americas.
This tactical change aimed to trigger policy reforms that would limit visitor numbers and second homes.
Despite gaining international attention, the initial wave of protests did little to deter foreign tourists from flocking to the islands.
Ivan Cerdena Molina, an activist and member of the local environmental group ATAN, expressed frustration that protests had not deterred tourism growth.
“The situation is really critical, no one who wants to enjoy holidays with peace would come to a collapsed and congested island,” he stated.
“Local people are really tired and angry. If we can ask something, it would be, please don’t come, we cannot take it anymore.”
Molina and fellow campaigners have announced plans for major protests as the peak season begins in the Canaries’ tourist hotspots.
A press statement issued on May 18 declared that activists would “take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated.”
The protests will spread across all the islands
GETTY
The group has vowed to sabotage public events, confront political figures, and occupy symbolic tourist attractions.
The protests will begin on May 18 and spread across all the islands.
“We will boycott public events, confront political leaders and occupy symbolic tourist spaces until real change is achieved,” the activists stated.
They emphasised: “The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few.
“We are the Canarian people – a people who will not give up until we achieve the change we deserve.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-disneyworld-tiana-bayou-adventure-POPTHEMEPARKS0425-4688f322172f459790ea448e37a2f8b9.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "These Are the Most Popular Travel Attractions for 2025")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the-best-picnic-baskets-tout-1f6050a4cef341a19d19caaa9e8ad158.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "The 10 Best Picnic Baskets of 2025")