Misleading media misinformation in the UK may be creating the impression that tourists are not welcome here on Lanzarote – but nothing could be further from the truth.

So what is going on in Lanzarote?

Tourist arrivals on Lanzarote have more than doubled over the last 20 years and are now set to exceed 3.4 million arrivals in 2024 for the first time.  Locals are understandably concerned that, if left unchecked, tourism will continue to grow to unsustainable levels.  Placing pressure on infrastructure whilst eroding the island’s character and appeal – creating a potentially less pleasant visitor experience in the years ahead.

Locals on Lanzarote are also experiencing housing affordability issues – as is the case in many countries around the world (including the UK).  A situation arising from a combination of static wage growth and rising prices over the last 15 years.

As tourism has grown but wages and salaries have remained static locals are beginning to ask when are they going to benefit from Lanzarote’s growing popularity as a tourist destination?

Against this backdrop a day of demonstration was held across the Canary Islands in April. Here on Lanzarote, there was a march through the island capital Arrecife attended by around 9,000 people (which is around 5% of the total population) – many of them trade unionists and hotel workers protesting against poor working conditions and pay.

Key objectives of the protesters include limiting tourist arrivals to 3 million per year and a moratorium on further hotel and apartment complex development.

A further demonsatration was held on October 20th.  This was attended by around 1500 people - which equates to less than 1% of Lanzarote's current total population. A counter demonstration - Lanzarote Loves Tourism - was held directly after and attracted hundreds of supporters. 

In the meantime, Lanzarote continues to welcome record tourist numbers - without incident or animosity.  Further reinforcing the impression that the demonstrations have had a far greater impact in the UK press than here on the ground!

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In order to drive page views and ad rates certain sections of the UK media have deliberately twisted this protest against mass tourism into an anti-tourist narrative.  But again, this is a complete misrepresentation – as so many locals here rely either directly or indirectly on tourism.

Whilst there have been isolated incidents in Barcelona and on Mallorca there is zero evidence of any anti-tourist animosity here on Lanzarote. No graffiti, no protests in resorts, no resentment – nothing.  So illustrating the fact that tourists – of all nationalities – continue to receive a warm welcome.