Why We Must Defend Tourism in the Canary Islands with a Massive Demonstration

                                                           Canary Islands Loves Tourism
 

Why We Must Defend Tourism in the Canary Islands with a Massive Demonstration 

By Bruno Perera

I present the reasons why we should defend tourism in the Canary Islands with a massive demonstration. The issues we need to advocate for in the streets and through the media, which can be applied to the other islands as well, are as follows:

1. For the Benefit of All Canarians and Residents: No one living in the Canary Islands has the right to enter a tourist area or beach and insult tourists with a barrage of insults. During the last anti-tourism demonstration, tourists were called "thieves" and "stinky" while they were enjoying their vacations. Tourists do not get involved in the political or social-economic issues we face in our islands, and for that reason, they deserve our respect.

2. Misconceptions about Water Usage: It should never be said that tourists are "stealing" our drinking water with hotel pools and apartment complexes, as most of these pools are filled with seawater. Furthermore, the entire tourism system of hotels and apartment complexes in Lanzarote operates around 50 desalination plants. It's essential to address internal issues at home instead of blaming tourists.

3. Prosperity through Tourism: For about 65 years, tourism has been fundamental to the Canary Islands and should be respected and cared for. With limited agriculture and fishing, and predominantly reliant on EU subsidies, 100% of the Canary Islands depend on tourism, EU support, and retirement pensions. We import subsidized raw materials, producing little for export. Without tourism in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Graciosa, there wouldn’t be enough drinking water for the entire population. If we produced water without tourism, the cost could be five times higher than what residents currently pay. Regularly, producing one cubic meter of drinking water costs Canal Gestión approximately 1 euro, not accounting for leaks that account for nearly half of daily production.

4. Not Attributing Water Scarcity to Tourism: Water used by tourists is charged between 2.95 and 3.50 euros per cubic meter. This revenue subsidizes the first 10 cubic meters consumed by residents at a rate of 60 cents per cubic meter. Remember that about 60 years ago, when Lanzarote and Fuerteventura lacked desalination plants, living without this vital liquid was a hellish experience. Today, thanks to tourism, we can almost fully enjoy it. Moreover, without tourism, there wouldn’t be the "black water" needed for irrigation in public gardens and farms. A notable example occurred in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was no tourism, resulting in a lack of "black water" for treatment.

5. Management Issues: The problem of water scarcity in Lanzarote is due to poor management. Canal Gestión and the Water Consortium are responsible, as nearly 50% of the water produced daily on the island is lost due to leaks in outdated pipes.

6. Tourism Demands: Advocating that only high-spending tourists come to the Canary Islands is a serious mistake. Wealthy and less wealthy entrepreneurs have the same right to establish mixed tourism-based businesses. All new promoters should also have that opportunity. What is needed is regulated tourism that is sustainable and suitable for the island’s territory. Additionally, amidst this economic and social conflict, there is an urgent need for better control of illegal immigration arriving by boats and planes, as in a few years, overpopulation and crime, particularly with unaccompanied minors (MENA), will pose serious issues that can affect tourism quality.

7. Social and Economic Issues: Social, labor, or salary problems faced by hotel, apartment complex, restaurant, and bar employees must be resolved with their employers, unions, and the Canary Islands government. Tourism should not be blamed as a scourge consuming the territory and driving up housing costs. Tourists pay for their stays and do not promote businesses detrimental to residents’ daily lives.

8. Affordable Housing Crisis: The lack of reasonably priced rental housing in the Canary Islands is not the result of high-spending tourists. Over the last 20 years, hundreds of thousands of foreign workers have arrived, taking up many available rental properties, which has driven prices up. Additionally, many ordinary homes have been converted into vacation rentals, as owners find them more profitable. When renting to residents, owners face the risk of non-payment due to high delinquency and occupations. Therefore, to achieve reasonably priced housing, we need a new law that protects both homeowners and tenants. Furthermore, we must advocate for the construction of public social housing for large families who have resided in the islands for at least ten consecutive years.

9. Beautifying Urban Areas: To attract high-spending tourists, we first must restore and beautify all urban areas and rural municipalities. Without these improvements, we cannot advance toward a prosperous model that respects our economic system and the Lanzarote environment.

10. Limited Resources: The primary problem facing the Canary Islands is that it is a territory with limited resources and a constantly growing population, due both to increased native births and incoming workers. This creates a pressure that complicates the regulation of tourism growth, even with moratoria-moratorium, failing to solve the risk of an unsustainable crossroads in 30 to 40 years. Additionally, without the ability to diversify our economic and social systems, when we reach a definitive end to economic and social growth, we risk emigration to other countries.

Conclusion: A smile toward tourism is the key to it all since much more can be achieved by embracing it rather than opposing and blaming tourists for the hardships created by poor Canary Islands politicians.

Final Note: When invited to participate in a new demonstration in favor of sustainable and environmentally respectful tourism, "Join and fight alongside everyone for a fair and sustainable tourism! Together we can build a future where both residents and visitors feel valued and welcomed. Every voice counts, and your participation can make a difference." 

— CANARIAS AMA AL TURISMO — CANARY ISLANDS LOVES TOURISM — KANARISCHE INSELN LIEBEN DEN TOURISMUS —