Backlash from locals on the is intensifying amid fears the popular holiday spot may be falling victim to its own boom.
The surge in holiday rentals has seemingly made it increasingly impossible for locals to continue living there, reportedly driving entire neighbourhoods out of their homes.
In municipalities such as La Oliva (Fuerteventura) and Arona (Tenerife), around one-third of properties have been converted into short term holiday rentals with rents soaring up by more than 66% in a mere four years, according to the .
This comes following an anti-tourist graffiti stating “Kill A Tourist” was spotted just a few days ago in .
The resident and author of the graffiti told : “Things on the islands are getting worse due to the large number of tourists and new residents, which leave us without homes and severely affect our natural environment.
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Locals protesting against overtourism in the Canary Islands (Image: Getty)
“People are desperate for change and for us to be respected, but perhaps this does not justify those actions, which seem to be escalating. It’s frightening.”
Just a few months ago, in October 2024, thousands took to the streets and in holiday resorts across the islands to protest against overtourism and demand changes to the tourism model to protect the island.
Many living on the islands believe that the current tourism model is unsustainable and protested throughout last year, often holding placards with slogans such as “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
To try and combat this, Mayor Onalia Bueno recently that from 2025, there will be an additional charge of €0.15 per day for visitors to Mogán in Gran Canaria for those staying in hotels, apartments, and holiday homes to encourage a more sustainable tourism model.
The number of tourists coming to the islands keeps climbing, with 9.9 million tourists visiting the Canary Islands just between January and September 2024, according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.
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The surge in holiday short term rentals means many locals have had to leave their homes (Image: Getty)
There was a 56.8% increase in holiday rental properties in La Oliva within just four years, according to the Canarian Weekly.
A report by also highlights that house prices have soared by up to 45% since 2015 and that a shopping basket in the Canary Islands has jumped by 32% in the last three years due to overtourism.
The overwhelming amount of holiday homes in the islands has not only led to rising prices but also means there is a lack of homes for residents to live in long term.
Salaries in the Canary Islands also remain one of the lowest in the entire of Spain at €1,630 per month according to .