Protests against mass tourism continue in the Canary Islands. A new demonstration is scheduled from May 18. “From now on, we will focus our fight in the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,” said the group of Activists Canarias Tiene a Límit (the Canaries have a limit). Activists accuse mass tourism of being at the origin of the housing crisis. According to them, real estate prices are too high, the roads are too busy and the lifestyle is eroded by mass tourism. They have undertaken to target the high tourist places, to disrupt public events and to “confront political leaders”.
To read: The British let go of Spain for Morocco
“We will boycott public events, we will confront political leaders during their appearances and we will occupy symbolic tourist spaces to clearly show that we will not stop as long as a real change has not taken place,” said the group. The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard decor for the pleasure of some privileged. ” They expect authorities to take appropriate measures from the authorities. “This reaction follows a strike from the 170,000 hotel and catering workers, which took place a few days ago throughout the archipelago. The inhabitants denounced the low wages and the bad working conditions, despite the boom in the holiday industry, ”adds the group.
To read: Morocco appeals to the tourists tired of the Spanish beaches
“The local government of the Canary Islands has announced its intention to tackle problems behind the demonstrations. Although she did not have come into details, the reforms would be radical, “said Jessica de León, Minister of Tourism and the Employment of the Canary Islands. It will add: “The new regulations must be aligned with today’s social and environmental realities, correcting obsolete elements and integrating the changes made by national and regional decisions, including those of the Constitutional Court”. A new legal framework should be set up in the coming months.
To read: The British let go of the Canaries for Morocco
The Spanish official says he is “completely agree” with a speech delivered by an opposition politician, according to which the growing popularity of Morocco as a tourist destination was a threat to the Canaries. She recognized that Morocco “is an increasingly important competitor”. She also points out that the kingdom achieves an “obvious and notable increase in investments in tourism” with the roadmap set for the 2030 World Cup.
To read: Morocco in the top 5 destinations most reserved by the British
The appeal of tourists for Morocco is real. Many British have dropped Spain for Morocco. : “I am happy not to visit. Even if I can understand their frustrations, it will eventually turn against the demonstrators. No tourists, no jobs. There are lots of other places to visit, ”commented a reader with the Mirror. “I am perplexed when they say ‘do not come’. Who are they? If people stop going to the Canaries, the whole economy is collapsing. I really don’t understand how these places can survive without visitors, ”questions another tourist.
To read: Moroccan cuisine among the favorites of the British
Last year, the Canary Islands hosted a record number of 17.9 million visitors, including 15.5 million international tourists. Among them, 15.5 million international tourists, an increase of 10 % compared to the previous year, and around 1.8 million national tourists from mainland Spain.
