Beyond the Beaches: The Overtourism Crisis on the Canary Islands

The real problem is wealth distribution. Local people should be the beneficiaries of tourism, politicians have a responsibility to ensure there is affordable housing for locals and tourist taxes could provide this.

Although over-tourism is definitely a problem on the islands, I don’t think it’s the only cause of the locals being priced out, of affordable accommodation. Low income workers not being able to find somewhere to live, is happening everywhere. Even in, no tourist areas. This is a problem spreading across the whole planet. I think over-tourism is used as something as a scapegoat, in the case of the Canaries. The real issue, is wealth inequality, as a result of greed and hyper capitalism.

The secret to life is moderation. Too much of anything is not a good thing.

This problem is happening all over the world. The problem isn't the tourists per se, but the investors who buy up property so that the price of what's left goes up. I honestly believe that if you get rid of AirBnBs and don't let foreigners purchase property, the problem will go away. HOWEVER, many of these places (like Barcelona) are desperate for income. Youth unemployment in Spain is at 30%! But as the man said, money is coming in, but it's not being distributed equally.

This over abundance of tourism is occurring in so many locations but they need the tourists and their money but completely understand all the concerns it creates. Locals still must come first.

These problems are obviously not unique to Tenerife - ie stagnant wages and the lack of affordable accommodation. It's a massive problem for much of the developed world. It seems that the local simply want a tiny part of the money being generated is put towards providing for them. The big question is who should pay for that? A tourist tax or those making the money in the first place? I would also argue against the tourism spokesperson who claims higher class of tourist will generate more money for the island - that's not the way it works and if they are moving more towards massive all inclusive beachfront complexes then all that extra money is going to stay within the walls of that newly built resort.

Spread the wealth and everyone can benefit from tourism

The problem is money. Tourists have the money, locals don't. Some people are making a lot of money of the tourists, the locals are not.

I'm sorry but it's not going to change for one simple reason GREED !

El turismo es una fuente de riqueza pero también de pobreza para los residentes locales de Marbella o de Fuengirola, en mi Andalucía o para los locales de las Islas Canarias. No hay que olvidar que los camareros, cocineros y limpiadoras de hoteles tambén necesitan tener un hogar con arreglo a sus ingresos económicos. Buen documental de la DW

Contrast that with Lanzarote where that great Architect and Painter Cesar Manrique successfully blocked high rises and developed a respect for nature and the environment. That island and Grand Canarias are my favourite. Still haven't made in to La Gomera which I gather is unspoilt. Don't care much for Tenerife and Fueraventura.

Not hard to solve. Decide the maximum numbers of tourists per month. Limit air lift to the numbers decided. Anyone who has made a tourist investment needs to understand they are not guaranteed a certain set of tourists or a certain revenue per year. And a fund to diversify should be made by taxing tourist revenues more.

everywhere is overtourism.... japan is having overtourism too... then bali... amsterdam... paris..phuket... venice... there's just simply too many human in this planet already 😂

Great video!

Madom Your this video absolutely very beautiful. I am enjoyed this view. Thankyou for introducing this beautiful place in this world. I watching from India ❤️

If there isn't a place for the workers live then that could negatively impact the hotels, restaurants, etc. It is to the benefit of everyone for there to be a focus on that.

Where is the government/rules/regulations? Simple solution, it's local inhabitants should be given a higher wages and first choice over accommodation and jobs. Simple! And perhaps have a week -two week period every summer where they have the Beeches and streets to themselves.

Not only do I follow DW for years and years, but I have also send zillions of your videos to my English students. I’m quite shocked to see how non-accurate the Spanish subtitles are, not to mention how the lady’s voice resembles that of a not-so-nice spanish that’s learned English in the US lol

If you visit the Canary Islands, you are going to see low-income labour everywhere. And these are not "locals". Not to mention that there weren't always so many "locals" in the Canary Islands until the tourism money showed up. I feel for them, but they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

The tourism lady dodged the question on more hotels being built,they are hand in hand with developers. A toothless organisation,we can holidays there and help the locals but only with official help to distribute money to where it’s needed. A property tax for overseas buyers and hotel developers to build social housing is a start