Shocking Graffiti in Tenerife Highlights Growing Tensions Over Tourism

In Tenerife, a recent incident has escalated tensions between locals and tourists, reflecting ongoing protests against mass tourism on the Canary Islands. A disturbing graffiti message reading “Kill a tourist” was discovered on a wall in the southern part of the island. This act, attributed to the radical group "Islas de Resistencia," is part of a broader backlash against the influx of tourists, which locals claim is harming their quality of life.

Reports indicate that the graffiti was first covered by British radio station Leading Britain’s Conversation, which sparked outrage both locally and internationally. One resident spoke to the media, emphasizing that while the presence of tourists has strained living conditions for locals, such violent expressions of dissent are unacceptable.

This isn’t an isolated incident; previous protests against tourism have occurred throughout the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Protesters, numbering over 10,000 in recent marches under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit,” demand a halt to the unchecked growth of tourism, which has led to skyrocketing rental prices. In the past decade, average rents in the region have reportedly doubled, intensifying local frustrations.

With approximately 2.2 million residents and around 16 million tourists visiting the islands in 2023, the conflict between the needs of locals and the booming tourism industry shows little sign of resolution.