Excessive Tourism Protests Erupt in Tenerife Following Tourist Tragedy at Teide Volcano

Tenerife Tourism Protests and Recent Rescue Efforts

Protests against excessive tourism in Tenerife, Spain, have intensified following a recent rescue of tourists trapped on Mount Teide. The local government evacuated around 130 tourists due to bad weather conditions. Many hikers attempted to climb the 3,718-meter high mountain while poorly dressed, wearing only shorts and T-shirts.

Rescue teams used helicopters to save some tourists who faced freezing temperatures and strong winds. The cable car route down Mount Teide was closed due to snow. In an effort to prevent future incidents, authorities activated a newly installed SOS button connected to the cable car station for three consecutive days.

The local government announced a closure of hiking trails to Mount Teide from 4 PM to 9 AM for the next two weeks. Tourists who requested rescue faced fines of £1,500 (approximately 30 million IDR). On different days, the evacuation included 77 tourists on Saturday, 28 on Monday, and 25 on Tuesday. Local residents criticized the hikers for risking the lives of rescuers by being unprepared.

Some hikers suffered from hypothermia and refused hospital treatment after rescue. Emergency coordination confirmed these individuals were struggling near the Altavista Refuge, which is currently closed. Rescues continued once weather conditions improved, allowing 64 tourists to be evacuated via cable car and 13 to walk down.

Blanca Perez, a council member, emphasized that Teide poses serious risks if hikers do not prepare properly. She stressed adherence to safety protocols and weather warnings. The Canary Islands government issued a weather warning for rain and storms, advising residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

Recently, thousands protested against tourism in the Canary Islands, citing issues like the lack of affordable housing due to an influx of visitors. In Tenerife, many demonstrators rallied at Playa de Las Americas, displaying flags and creating graffiti with messages like “My misery is your paradise” and highlighting low average wages in the islands.

Some tourists criticized the graffiti, noting that visitors contribute economically. Local politicians proposed beginning a fee for tourists visiting natural sites, prompting slogans like “Canary Islands have limits” and “Tourism Moratorium” to appear on roads leading to Mount Teide. While some tourists supported these protests, others claimed that the demonstrators were excessive in their demands.