Gran Canaria is a popular holiday spot for Brits (Image: Getty)
may need to switch up their sunny holiday plans as one of the ‘ most popular destinations is considering significant changes to its .
Following months of mounting tension over , local authorities have launched a public consultation that could pave the way for a potential ban on new hotel developments.
The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, welcomed 15.5 million international tourists last year, with nearly 40% of visitors hailing from the UK.
Tenerife topped the charts with over 6.2 million international visitors, while Gran Canaria followed closely with nearly 4 million tourists.
Despite its smaller size compared to , remains a favourite for sun-seeking travellers.
Gran Canaria is considering implementing restrictions on hotels (Image: Getty)
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However, the region’s thriving tourism industry has sparked growing discontent among locals.
Last year, thousands of residents across the archipelago took to the streets, chanting, “Canary Islands has a limit” and demanding measures to curb the impact of overtourism. Protesters highlighted issues such as skyrocketing property prices driven by holiday homes, environmental degradation, and wealth inequality.
Among the changes that have been proposed by organisations and local governments are a tourist tax, improved wages for local workers, and restrictions on new holiday accommodations.
The ongoing public consultation, spearheaded by Gran Canaria’s Cabildo (local government), calls on residents to voice their opinions on the island’s tourism future.
Early feedback has shown strong support for a moratorium on hotel and holiday property developments to protect local resources and housing availability.
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“Limiting expansion is essential to prevent further strain on our island’s resources and ensure a sustainable future for residents,” one local respondent said, as reported by .
The consultation also calls for initiatives to preserve the island’s natural landscapes and reverse developments deemed harmful to the environment. The results, which will be collected through February 28, could play a pivotal role in shaping the island’s tourism policies.
While no hotel ban has been implemented yet, the potential restrictions have sparked concerns over rising holiday costs. Reduced accommodation availability could drive up prices, making vacations to Gran Canaria less accessible.
Tourism currently accounts for 35% of the Canary Islands’ GDP, making it a vital economic sector. However, residents and authorities alike are grappling with the challenge of balancing economic reliance on visitors with the need to preserve the islands’ cultural and environmental integrity.
For now, British tourists eager to enjoy Gran Canaria’s sunny shores will need to watch closely as the island debates its tourism future.