Popular holiday destinations could “face collapse” if too many tourists continue to arrive, a report has claimed.
But if you have one destination, it's just the opposite.
In fact, authorities fear that the region's “overtourism” may mean that the number of tourists visiting the region each year is no longer sustainable.
And it's very popular among British people.
The report comes after a record 48 million visitors visited the region last year. About half of this number were British.
Local residents' main concerns include prolonged traffic jams and congestion, sewage spills, and environmental problems caused by the new hotel complex and the island's large population.
Experts from campaign group Ben Magec-Ecologists in Action are speaking out and calling for urgent action.
“The territory of the Canary Islands has been more than overexploited. The carrying capacity of the territory has been exceeded by a factor of seven, resulting in a scenario of system collapse due to the urban development structure,” the report said. ing.
“The uncontrolled growth of non-settled populations of European descent has resulted in completely overcrowded islands, and the generation of waste and exploitation of resources is causing an almost irreversible degradation of natural ecosystems.”
The Canary Islands include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
The islands are very popular thanks to their white sandy beaches, tourist attractions, and year-round warm climate.
Brits especially enjoy escaping the UK's freezing winters and enjoying milder temperatures in places like Lanzarote. The temperature is currently in the mid 20s.
However, it is becoming a major issue among communities across the island.
In Tenerife, for example, campaigners have begun calling for a “green tax” for tourists, with “tourists go home” a common slogan at protests.
Meanwhile, placards reading “The Canary Islands are no longer paradise” and “The Canary Islands are not for sale” were seen at recent rallies.
Juan Torres, Rector of Gran Canarias University of Architecture, stressed that small changes are not enough.
“At the level of urban planning and architecture, we couldn't just operate superficially. We needed to take appropriate steps to ensure that everyone could participate in the improvements that were really needed in the Canary Islands,” he said. There was,” he said.
