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Date Published: 05/05/2025

Tourism protests set to disrupt Spain's top holiday spots on June 15

Large-scale demonstrations planned across Spanish islands call for more sustainable tourism

British tourists planning to visit Spain this summer are being advised to prepare for possible disruptions on Sunday June 15. Some of the country’s most popular destinations are set to be affected by widespread protests calling for urgent changes to how tourism is managed.

Activist groups will stage demonstrations across the Canary and Balearic Islands, including Lanzarote, Tenerife, Mallorca and Barcelona. The aim is to raise awareness about the negative impact of mass tourism on the environment and local communities.

The protests are being coordinated by the Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET), who are urging authorities and the tourism sector to prioritise more sustainable practices. Their concerns include overcrowding, rising housing costs and the gradual loss of local culture and identity.

“We’re not against tourists,” said one protest organiser. “The problem is when entire areas are reshaped around them, leaving locals struggling to live in their own towns.”

Some activists say it is important to make tourists feel the discomfort that local people experience. Overdevelopment, short-term rentals and investor-owned housing are among the main issues being raised.

While a number of visitors from the UK have expressed understanding for the protests, others have reacted negatively. One long-time holidaymaker to Tenerife said, “We’ve spent a lot of money here over the years, but it’s just not the same now. I don’t think we’ll come back.”

The protests have sparked wider debate about tourism’s role in Spain’s economy and its effect on communities. Although many acknowledge that hotels still support local businesses, campaigners say the current model needs a serious rethink.

As June 15 approaches, it remains to be seen how disruptive the demonstrations will be and whether or not they bring immediate change. But what is clear is that the debate over how Spain manages its booming tourism industry is gaining momentum - and the pressure on local authorities and the tourism sector to find sustainable solutions is mounting.

Image: Jose D´Alessandro/Pexels

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