Tourist tax on Tenerife and the other Canary Islands is a tax that everyone flirts with, but almost no one commits to.
The Canary Islands are debating the introduction of a tourist tax to promote sustainability, reduce inequalities, and limit the impact of tourism in an economic model that is increasingly being questioned. Just over a year ago—on April 20, 2024—local residents marched through the main streets of the archipelago under the same slogan: ‘The Canary Islands have a limit’.
Either One or the Other
Both the organizers of the demonstration and a large part of the population reject the fact that the main economic model of the Canary Islands is based on tourism development, leading to the controversy of much for a few and very little for the rest, with severe social inequalities, high poverty rates, and environmental degradation as consequences.
To illustrate this, it is enough to recall the words of the Canary Islands president, Fernando Clavijo, during the last debate on the state of the Canary Islands nationality, where he referred to the tourism sector and stated: “Either we raise wages, linked to productivity, or we raise taxes.”
Rejected
Does the Canary Archipelago still have room for growth? And how can the redistribution of wealth be improved? These are two questions that Clavijo has raised, but that many others have also brought up due to the need to achieve social balance and prevent saturation that benefits neither the tourist nor the resident.
There are various voices offering an alternative: the tourist tax. A levy that already exists in major tourist destinations and which, until just a week ago, was rejected by nationalist and popular parties, which have always been in favor of the introduction of the ecotax.
Mogán
Mogán in Gran Canaria is the only one of the 88 municipalities in the Canary Islands that has actually committed to the tourist tax. Since March of this year, this tourist town in Gran Canaria introduced the tax, although it was suspended after 36 hours when the Federation of Entrepreneurs in Hospitality and Tourism of Las Palmas (FEHT) challenged the regulation. This decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of the Canary Islands (TSJC), and the tax of 0.15 euros per person per day was reinstated. It is not a tax on overnight stays, but on the provision of public services and the execution of activities arising from tourism and the sustainability of the destination.
More Ecotaxes
During the last debate on the state of the island of Tenerife, held by the island government – the Cabildo de Tenerife – President Rosa Dávila made no mention of the aforementioned tourist tax but did talk about the ecotax, highlighting the strength of this levy which contributes to environmental protection. She also announced that, in 2026, an access fee would be charged for the top of Teide in the Teide National Park.
In the plenary session, there was no mention of the tourist tax. The day after, and just a few weeks before the new citizen protest, Dávila surprised both friends and foes with the defense of a tax on overnight stays. In fact, this proposal was already included in the content of the 6th Congress of Coalición Canaria held on May 10 and 11, 2025, in Tenerife.
Nationalist Congress
The political presentation at the nationalist gathering was presented under the title “Tenerife, the future is now”, which was unanimously approved by all attendees and in which the tourist tax played a central role.
Francisco Linares, once again re-elected as the highest responsible of CC in Tenerife, stated during his speech that they are not against tourism, but only want to reflect on which tourism model they want to continue following for the well-being of the Canary Islanders.
Reflect or Implement?
“We will try to introduce a tourist tax on the island, which will be graduated depending on the evolution of tourism, excluding residents and sensitive groups,” said Linares.
Additionally, the political document adds that “the revenues will be used to fund sustainability projects, cohesion, circular economy, and measures for climate change and reducing the impact that tourists cause during their stay on Tenerife (zero footprint).”
Silence
The truth is that the shadow of silence hangs over this topic, an issue with much information and social relevance, from which little has been known.
In any case, both the Government of the Canary Islands and the island government, with Fernando Clavijo and Rosa Dávila at the helm, have clarified that this is a party proposal and not a government proposal, thereby dismissing any doubts about the agreements with the Popular Party—which has, so far, opposed the tourist tax.
Conclusion
If the debate about the tourist tax on Tenerife and the other Canary Islands reflects the growing concern about sustainability and the redistribution of wealth in an economic model, further debate can continue.
Although the tourist tax is politically supported, the implementation of the levy still raises doubts and remains silent in the media, leaving the question open whether it will be an effective solution or just a trial balloon in a process that still needs to be defined.
Guy Devos © Photography
Tourist Tax on Tenerife ©
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