The Canary Islands are braced for unrest as “100,000” protestors are expected to take to the streets in a stand against “mass tourism”. The latest demonstration by locals comes amid escalating anger over unaffordable housing, sparse job opportunities and environmental damage.
Members of the “20-0” protest movement will rally across popular tourist destinations such as Playa Las Americas, Corralejo, Puerto del Carmen, and Maspalomas on Sunday, reports the Express. Brits remain amongst the most frequent visitors to the islands, with approximately 5.7 million arriving last year.
However tensions have grown, with some Canarian communities arguing that overseas tourists inflate property prices and overburden the local environment and infrastructure. Ivan Cerdena Molina of ATAN, a regional environmental group, has been prominent in previous protests and indicated that thegathering aims to confront tourists directly.
He said: “We are going to take loudspeakers, we are going to stop in the bars, [hotel] terraces and tell the people what are our problems. We are going to say you are making our housing prices higher and the industry behind you [is not helping the island].”
He added: “”I think the atmosphere is peaceful [but] we are going there to demonstrate. We are full of arguments.”
It is understood that the Canary Islands’ regional government, helmed by Coalicion Canaria and Partido Popular (PP), has steadfastly refused to introduce measures like an eco-tax or cap tourist numbers in overpopulated zones. According to Canarian Weekly, organisers behind both the 20A and 20-O protests say they are not “anti-tourists” but advocate for heightened environmental conservation and local housing availability.
The UK Foreign Office recently published a travel alert for Britons visiting the Canary Islands due to the upcoming demonstrations. It warned: “Political gatherings or marches can take place with little or no warning, particularly in cities. While most demonstrations are peaceful, there is a risk of unrest or violence.”
And travellers are advised: “If you’re near areas where demonstrations are taking place, be aware of what is happening around you and move away if there are signs of disorder.”
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