A tourist crisis has been causing chaos for residents in Spain in recent years but one area has felt it particularly badly as it’s seen an unprecedented population boom since 2000.
The rising population in the southern region of Tenerife has seen the highest- growth in both the Canary Islands and Spain, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE).
The figures from INE show that the five most populated municipalities in the south – Arona, Granadilla de Abona, Adeje, San Miguel de Abona, and Guia de Isora – have collectively seen their populations increase by 2.5 times since the start of the century.
In 2000, these areas had a combined population of 94,735, which skyrocketed to 235,265 by last year, marking an increase of 140,530 (+148 percent).
But this doesn’t even take into account the number of tourists visiting the region.
This growth has attracted workers from both local and foreign backgrounds, leading to significant pressure on infrastructure, such as daily traffic congestion, and essential services like schools, hospitals, and residential housing.
The housing situation has become particularly problematic recently due to the lack of public housing development and the rise in holiday homes.
Despite sky-high rental prices, especially within areas close to tourist hotspots, South Tenerife remains attractive for young individuals from European countries, specifically from Italy more recently.
Before Brexit, Brits represented the largest group migrating to the island, but that trend has slowed.
It comes after thousands of locals in Majorca, Spain, took to the streets in protest against over-tourism in the past month.
The large protest, which took place on May 25, was organised by Banc del Temps, a neighbourhood group from Sencelles in central Mallorca.
People held signs and placards, with some reading: “Wherever you look, they’re all girls”. The colloquial expression ‘guiri’ is used to describe holidaymakers, particularly British tourists, renowned for partying and heavy drinking.
Protesters are demanding the Ministry of Housing to implement measures such as preventing tourists from buying properties on the island if they haven’t resided there for over five years, regulating holiday accommodation rental prices, and declaring a housing emergency in the Balearics.
