Wed Sep 18 05:46:58 UTC 2024: ## Canary Islands See Record-Breaking Tourism Despite Protests
**Las Palmas, Canary Islands** – Despite months of protests over overtourism and overcrowding, the Canary Islands have experienced a record-breaking summer in terms of air traffic and passenger numbers.
During August 2024, AENA-managed airports across the archipelago handled over 32 million passengers, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in tourism comes after weeks of demonstrations by local residents who are struggling with rising housing costs and a perceived lack of resources due to the influx of tourists.
Lanzarote, Tenerife North, Gran Canaria, and El Hierro all set new passenger records. Gran Canaria alone received 1.2 million passengers in August, a 7.8% increase, while Tenerife Sur saw a 14.7% surge with over 1 million passengers.
Despite the protests, experts believe that the islands’ favorable climate, diverse attractions, and well-managed airports will continue to draw large numbers of tourists. The demonstrations, however, serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the islands as they attempt to balance economic growth with the needs of their local population.
The Canary Islands remain a popular destination for European travelers, particularly from the United Kingdom. This record-breaking summer highlights the importance of the tourism sector to the islands’ economy. However, it also raises concerns about the sustainability of such rapid growth in visitor numbers.
First Piper 