This Sunday, May 18, the streets of Lanzarote are witnessing a new citizen demonstration demanding an urgent change in the island's tourism model. The call, promoted by the platform Lanzarote has a limit, began at 11:00 am and is part of a day of protests that is being held simultaneously on all the islands of the archipelago —except in La Graciosa—, in several parts of the peninsular territory, such as Madrid and Santiago de Compostela and in Europe.
With banners, slogans and an atmosphere of unity, the protesters are sending a clear message: the current model of mass tourism is unsustainable. Among the slogans that can be read on the banners are phrases such as "Your business, our misery", "Island to live in, not to build on", "Yes to tourism, no to the mafia that exploits and sells the Canary Islands" or "Tourist, enjoy, I can no longer live here".
The protest focuses on the impacts of uncontrolled tourism: the saturation of natural resources, the increase in housing costs, the loss of biodiversity and job insecurity. The organizers insist that it is not about rejecting tourism as an economic engine, but about demanding a profound transformation that prioritizes social well-being and sustainability.
For the moment, no official participation figure has been offered, although the turnout is remarkable. The organizers hope that the joint action at regional and national level will have a clear impact on the political agenda and encourage institutions to take urgent measures.
"We are here because we want to continue living on our island, not be expelled by the price of housing or by a model that only benefits a few," said one of the attendees.
