Beyond the Beaches: The Overtourism Crisis on the Canary Islands

Trouble in paradise: On the Spanish Canary Islands, recurring mass protests have been breaking out against the rise in tourism. Residents complain of rent prices for apartments becoming unaffordable and rental cars clogging up the streets. DW reporter Nicole Frölich speaks with desperate residents, representatives of a citizens’ initiative and the tourism authority on Tenerife.
CREDITS:
Report: Nicole Frölich, Andreas Kirchhoff
Camera: Holm Weber
Editing: Leander Grewe
Supervising Editor: Christina Deicke
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#canaryislands #tenerife #overtourism #traveling

[@jkae91]

Although over-tourism is definitely a problem on the islands, I don’t think it’s the only cause of the locals being priced out, of affordable accommodation. Low income workers not being able to find somewhere to live, is happening everywhere. Even in, no tourist areas. This is a problem spreading across the whole planet. I think over-tourism is used as something as a scapegoat, in the case of the Canaries. The real issue, is wealth inequality, as a result of greed and hyper capitalism.

[@PrincipeFelipeFCB]

I agree with you in general, however over-tourism is bad for the environment and affects the local culture negatively, especially in the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In this case I would say both things are a serious problem.

[@UCiWrMgES50tlUhV3l6NqjNA]

thats the product of tourism...tourism generates a lot of revenue, possibly as much as real estate, specially with lack of controls over airbnbs...airbnbs don't even have to pay taxes...

[@eirikjinx]

I have been living on a touristy island in SE Asia for the last 12 year, on and off. Here, especially after COVID - see that not necessarily tourism kills these islands but digital nomads and content creators. They don't live in line with island life, they bring the city to the island and we are seeing devastating results. Locals are in debt to work on the island, because of the housing situation. Immigrated locals, who fuel the tourism industry as instructors, administrators and logistical staff - have lost their housing - for the (rightfully so) owners to seek out better revenue on AirBnB but it leaves the islands biggest selling point dead in the water. And tourist while they bring money, they also have become all about "worth and value" - devaluing products, services and causing a rift between those who travel and those who serve you in those locations. If you can't afford to pay for your travel, food or wanted stuff - why should I devalue my business or product for you? Environmentally speaking - this is even worse when it comes to younger nomads, creators and travellers. SE Asia is experiencing a strange powerful coral bleaching where the top half of the reef temperature has reached 33 degrees but more worryingly is that the deeper measurements slow a steady increase in temperatur in the bays and close to islands. Most likely due to "hot" water and sewage being dumped right in the ocean. Eco tourism should be a thing in fragile environments and if you dont value these places enough to follow local guidelines, pay "park / tourism fees" and actually pay what it costs to have this moment on a remote island - you dont deserve to travel, you dont deserve paradise because you don't want to protect it. Easy as that to be honest.

[@DavidS5118]

This over abundance of tourism is occurring in so many locations but they need the tourists and their money but completely understand all the concerns it creates. Locals still must come first.

[@abrahamk9]

The secret to life is moderation. Too much of anything is not a good thing.

[@VolkerHelmich]

It's difficult to moderate greed

[@vitovitale169]

For as long as there are politicians and local government administrators who are happy to line their pockets and look the other way, the environment and local citizens will always be irrelevant.

[@lesmarsden2058]

The real problem is wealth distribution. Local people should be the beneficiaries of tourism, politicians have a responsibility to ensure there is affordable housing for locals and tourist taxes could provide this.

[@larsstougaard7097]

So true

[@Essydyk]

These problems are obviously not unique to Tenerife - ie stagnant wages and the lack of affordable accommodation. It's a massive problem for much of the developed world. It seems that the local simply want a tiny part of the money being generated is put towards providing for them. The big question is who should pay for that? A tourist tax or those making the money in the first place? I would also argue against the tourism spokesperson who claims higher class of tourist will generate more money for the island - that's not the way it works and if they are moving more towards massive all inclusive beachfront complexes then all that extra money is going to stay within the walls of that newly built resort.

[@esioanniannaho5939]

Contrast that with Lanzarote where that great Architect and Painter Cesar Manrique successfully blocked high rises and developed a respect for nature and the environment. That island and Grand Canarias are my favourite. Still haven't made in to La Gomera which I gather is unspoilt. Don't care much for Tenerife and Fueraventura.

[@howdan1985]

These anti-tourism protesters should be very careful what they wish for and should remind themselves of the famous saying: "Never bite the hand that feeds you" (as all the owners of the empty shops and restaurants in Mallorca are now finding out to their detriment)

[@slaathaug]

Agree. Our family been visiting Gran Canaria, Mallorca and Tenerife on a regular basis. Since we now get the impression that we are not wanted, we bring our cash to Egypt and USA instead.

[@enkaipritie4955]

@@slaathaug Yes you can go to Egypt but definitely Egypt will not give you the 'safe' feeling that you have in Europe that is for sure, try Cairo, but not with organized trips, go by yourself and experience the wonderful wild life in Cairo...... yeah I know Hurghada as well, the same and see as well how free you can feel in those places with you and your family.

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

I don't get "rental cars clogging up the streets". Couldn't the local government operate a public transit service that operates every 30 minutes, 24 hours per day throughout the island and abolish, or at least severly limit the number of, rental cars at the airport to fix traffic? Should cost less than expanding a motorway.

[@DWTravel]

Sounds like a good idea to us! 😊

[@jettjones9889]

@@DWTravelyou should be impartial

[@trailwayt9H337]

Madom Your this video absolutely very beautiful. I am enjoyed this view. Thankyou for introducing this beautiful place in this world. I watching from India ❤️

[@rebjorn79]

Seems to me that there are numerous ways to ensure that locals benefit more

[@larsstougaard7097]

Yes

[@vmoses1979]

Not hard to solve. Decide the maximum numbers of tourists per month. Limit air lift to the numbers decided. Anyone who has made a tourist investment needs to understand they are not guaranteed a certain set of tourists or a certain revenue per year. And a fund to diversify should be made by taxing tourist revenues more.

[@Natural_Infinity]

everywhere is overtourism.... japan is having overtourism too... then bali... amsterdam... paris..phuket... venice... there's just simply too many human in this planet already 😂

[@VolkerHelmich]

Hilarious 🙄

[@davidjones535]

I'm sorry but it's not going to change for one simple reason GREED !

[@larsstougaard7097]

Its like the pirate Davi Jones' locker the oceanic abyss of greed

[@Remybrook]

Had the same look with snails years ago.

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

Come to the Philippines….Ohana Beach Suites….🙏

[@VonRix]

They don’t care about tourism. They want cheaper housing and less traffic jams. Neither has anything to do with tourism. Cities without overtourism also have expensive housing and traffic jams.

[@2011woodlands]

I think Iceland has a waiting list for tourists who want to visit.

[@mikrokupu]

Iceland has no waiting list for tourists. In Iceland the capacity and price level limit the number of tourists. It will never be a package holiday destination for masses like the Canary Islands. I'm one of the many northern Europeans who like to take a break in the sun in winter, the Canaries and Thailand still are the most popular options. But I do understand why the locals are fed up in places like Tenerife.

[@catmandave5793]

One more sad recount about capitalistic greed balanced on the backs of the working class class. Don’t figure out how to get those who make huge profits on tourists to fairly compensate those who make the island work for tourists.

[@geoms6263]

why the locals do not own a house if they are locals

[@VolkerHelmich]

Over tourism pollutes and ultimately destroys

[@BETOETE]

Al menos en Canarias los islenos tienen otra entrada, agricultura, de la cual las Baleares adolecen y dependen 100% del tutismo.

[@rosannagava1267]

Non mi sarei mai aspettata un servizio così ipocrita da DW☹️. Se il turismo porta ricchezza perché gli abitanti non sono ricchi?

[@DWTravel]

Why hypocritical? We report about what's going on there.

[@OGillo2001]

batman

[@HAMEEDALIRAQI]

😍❤️❤️❤️

[@ammonioussaccas]

With global warming everyone will be going north for vacation soon.

[@otmanelmersli1257]

Ok

[@user-mz7de3kc3d]

During Covid they cried that nobody has money because there are no tourists

[@OGillo2001]

they they they

[@anambro100]

They? Who?

[@funkmachine9094]

they complain about too many tourists, okay i can understand to some point, but they don't seem to complain about mass illegal immigration coming in every other day or the narco trafficers using the canary islands as a gate way to ship cocaine from colombia to the rest of europe

[@jaimelf1194]

I don't know if you follow Spanish media, but Spaniards complain about mass migration every day. It's in the news, it's what people talk about, and it's responsible for the rebound of extreme right groups. They also talk about narcs, it's also on the news every day and there are multiple TV series and documentaries about it.

[@Hubertus-ko6yl]

yep away with tourists - they dont need their money, dont they??

[@lokesh303101]

This is nothing but a Blessing. Improvise the Skyline with the Investments. Vertical Affordable Housing is much Better!

[@Armixs]

don't make travel videos then.

[@henaimtiyaz4189]

Why not? When we can address the issue and curb unmindful and unsustainable tourism mostly fueled by bad tourists insensitive to local cultures and traditions.

[@sandrajones8245]

Dont kill me in the comments, but the locals can stfu! They shouldnt blame the tourist's, they should blame the governments, and they shouldnt say no more tourists, instead they should say share the money fairly.

[@geoms6263]

brits tourist should be ban or lets say 100 pr month

[@relentless305]

Sorry but does beaches are overated

[@lila-yw2gn]

Ignore this comment as this is a personal msg for someone For Mel My life is dull and meaningless too without you, my king. I can't wait for the day where we will talk about almost anything and we can do anything. In your arms is my home. 💜💜💋💋

[@mpmcdude1980]

Hahahaha

[@Bulldog2833]

They got too greedy and now they are complaining... Would be funny if everybody just agreed to stay away for a year or two and then see what they say 😂🤣

[@howdan1985]

Well said 😂. That's actually happened in Mallorca - the stupid protesters have scared away a lot of tourists and they're now begging them to come back and spend money in their loss-making businesses.