Nine out of ten people living in the Canary Islands believe the current tourism model needs to change, according to a new study that also identifies housing as the biggest problem facing the archipelago.
The report, commissioned by the Fundación Canarina and carried out by Estudios Sociales GEAS 7, found growing concern among residents over mass tourism, rising living costs and what many see as a worsening quality of life across the islands.
Of those surveyed, 52.1% said the tourism model requires “deep change”, while a further 36.9% supported partial reforms. Nearly half of respondents linked mass tourism directly to the environmental and social pressures currently affecting the Canary Islands.
Housing Named as Biggest Concern
The study found that access to housing and rising rental prices are now the main concern for residents, cited by 45.2% of respondents, far ahead of tourism itself, which was mentioned by 27.6%.
Around 70% of those surveyed said quality of life in the Canary Islands has worsened over the past decade, with the strongest negative feelings recorded in Fuerteventura and Tenerife.
Residents blamed a combination of soaring housing costs, higher living expenses, overcrowding linked to tourism and pressure on infrastructure.
Support for Limiting Tourism Growth
The report also revealed that 61.1% of respondents support limiting further tourism growth across the islands.
Support for restrictions was strongest among people aged between 35 and 54, as well as younger residents. Tenerife, El Hierro and Fuerteventura recorded the highest levels of support for limiting tourism expansion.
Researchers carried out 409 telephone interviews with residents across the Canary Islands, with responses balanced by age and gender. The study has a confidence level of 95.45%.
Growing Distrust Towards Institutions
The findings also point to increasing frustration with political institutions.
Two out of three respondents said they believe public administrations do not listen to citizens’ concerns, while only around 20% felt authorities were making changes that matched the environmental and social needs of the islands.
The report highlights what researchers describe as a “deep social unease” over the current development model and the ability of institutions to respond effectively.
Climate Change and Sustainability Concerns
Concern over climate change is also growing among Canary Islands residents.
More than half of respondents said they were highly worried about the effects of heatwaves, droughts and forest fires in the coming years. Around 60% believe the Canary Islands are not properly prepared for the environmental and social challenges of the next decade.
The study also found women generally expressed stronger concerns about housing pressures, environmental sustainability and climate change than men.
The Fundación Canaria said the findings reflect the growing public concern seen during recent protests against mass tourism across the archipelago.
