Campaigners have hailed a wave of protests across the and mainland and issued a message to tourists. It is believed that around 100,000 people marched against overtourism, its consequences and the way politicians are handling the situation in in May. Activists say there were 50,000 in Gran Canaria, 5,000 in Lanzarote, 1,500 in Fuerteventura, 600 in La Palma, 250 in La Gomera, 50 in El Hierro, 300 in Madrid, 200 in Barcelona and "many more in other places".

A Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) campaigner, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Express: "This time, we were as many as we were during the largest protest in the history of the Canary Islands, which happened on April 20, 2024. But this time, the Canarian diaspora joined the movement from outside the islands, which made the protest even bigger." She added: "The protest has been an absolute success.

"More people took part, from more places, and the feeling was that a large part of society was finally speaking the same language.

"People were better informed, angrier with the government, and more convinced that this situation needs to change urgently."

When asked if she hoped tourists had seen the march, the activist said: "Yes, and I hope tourists realise that this is not a good moment to visit the Canary Islands - not until things change.

"This tourism model is destroying the daily lives of local people and the planet."

She added: "I want people from all over the world to understand that tourist destinations are fragile places, and that certain types of tourism are destroying them.

"We need a tourism model that respects the territory and the communities who live there. And we are far away from this right now."

Some Brits on the island sympathise with the protesters. , 59, an expat from Greater Manchester, said in Jags Scottish Bar that taxes taken from tourist activity are "not filtering down".

"Locals aren't seeing any of that," she said. "There's a lot of buildings that are taken hired out for holiday lets, the Government should crack down on that. As long as they get money in, they don't care how they get it."

However, she added: "If we didn't have tourism, the island would come to a stand still. They should be protesting outside government buildings - not aiming it at tourists."