The problem isn't the tourists; it's the model that was built around it
Local residents of the Canary Islands recently made headlines for protesting an unsustainable tourism model.
Their story
Although not being against tourism, (35% of the regions GDP comes from tourism) residents urge authorities to rethink their overall tourism strategy, including a freeze on visitor numbers. The Guardian noted Victor Martin, a spokesperson for Canarias se Agota (‘The Canaries Have Had Enough’), saying “We’ve reached the point where the balance between the use of resources and the welfare of the population here has broken down, especially over the past year.”
The bigger trend
In many European cities, but also in other global hotspots, we see residents standing up against tourism, especially too much of it. A lot of these protests have many things in common. Often lack of affordable housing, loss of authenticity and declining livability are mentioned. However, the protesters at the Canary Islands are addressing something else as well.
Business over residents
Mr. Martin: “The problem isn’t the tourists,” it’s a model that was built around, and with the connivance of, a business class that doesn’t want to listen to what needs to be done, and with a political class that serves that business class instead of serving all the citizens.” One of the triggers of the protests was Spain’s parliament denying to stop the construction of a hotel and eco-resort in southern Tenerife: Cuna del Alma. A quick look on the website of the project immediately reveals one thing: a big call-to-action for visitors looking for “Investment opportunities”.
Capitalism disguised as local development
No, I am not against capitalism, as I agree it’s the least bad model. But, history has shown us it needs strong policy making to properly work. And without knowing the details here, many of developments like Cuna del Alma typically benefit only a few: the property developer, the owner of the land and maybe the (private) investors. Not the local community nor the local staff that is paid low wages (so that more profit can flow into the aforementioned pockets).
The much-needed paradigm shift to Local First
It’s time that politicians, both local and national, start realizing that tourism will only sustainable contribute to your economy, if it’s based on a model that puts locals first. Whether it’s a city like Barcelona, Amsterdam or Florence, or a tourism destination like the Canary Islands. Only when locals can continue to enjoy a proper, affordable life, they will continue to embrace the benefits of tourism. But, if tourism is the reason that their lives are becoming less and less enjoyable and affordable, then it is only a matter of time until the protests become untenable.
Photo & quotes: The Guardian
