All the new rules UK tourists face in Canary Islands after protests

All the new rules that UK tourists could face in the Canary Islands amid a clampdown on tourism have been revealed. This weekend saw thousands protest over so-called "overtourism" in Lanzarote, Tenerife and beyond, with locals increasingly fed up over an influx of Brits.

An angry anti-tourist movement has been gaining momentum throughout the Canary Islands in recent months - as locals say "enough is enough". Lanzarote, Tenerife and other island locals have warned the Canary Islands "have a limit" when it comes to tourism.

Residents have moved to blast visitors with anti-tourism graffiti and local campaigns protesting and demonstrating over the influx of Brits on the holiday hotspot. UK holidaymakers have been warned local housing is being driven up and made more scarce.

READ MORE UK braced for first 'official' heatwave of year with temperatures in 'high 20s'

The seven main Canary Islands are home to 2.2 million people and in 2023, nearly 14 million international tourists visited them - up 13 per cent from the previous year. To combat the rising tide of visitors, the local authorities and governance could introduce new rules and regulations.

Visitor limits

Rosa Dávila, the first female president of Tenerife, proposed visitor limits. She warned: "In addition, there have to be limits to prevent tourism from overflowing."

Tourism accounts for 35% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands, but demonstrators say changes to the industry must be made. Groups protested in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Palma on Saturday.

Eco-tax

Davila proposed a new tourism model that would charge visitors a fee to access natural spaces. She is also advocating measures to "modulate" the number of tourists arriving in Tenerife - and "study the impact of demographic growth.

She said after the mass protests: "We must analyze the exceptionalities that can be applied in a territory as fragile and limited as ours. What is clear is that Tenerife cannot be a theme park. Those who visit us have to value and respect our natural and cultural wealth, our resources, and they have to be clear about the rules for their preservation."

Daily tax

President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, previously warned that a daily cost for visitors could be on the table. While not included in current plans, Clavijo said the government is willing to look at suggestions of a three euro per night charge.

He said last Friday: "It is true that the ecotax is not included in the government program, but it is also true that we are willing to discuss it; the government will always engage in dialogue."