It’s been over a month since the public demonstrations of 20-A, and since then, political parties have been engaged in research and discussions to formulate a plan that involves a significant shift in areas such as the tourism industry, holiday rentals or population control in the Canary Islands, which has seen a population surge of over 431,000 individuals in the last two decades, mainly attributed to new residents moving in. José Manuel Bermúdez, the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and a member of the nationalist party (CC-NC), has been actively voicing concerns in the regional Parliament on this matter, advocating for several measures with the goal of alleviating the current strain on the population and housing.
-The Canary Islands face critical challenges like demographic expansion and the current tourism model. Has the pressure from citizens driven you to seek solutions?
“There’s currently a significant discussion within the population due to the fact that over the last 20 years, the population of the Canary Islands has grown by more than 431,000 residents. Moreover, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the projection for the next 15 years indicates an influx of 350,000 more individuals, given the current pace of growth. Just in the last year, the number of new residents settling in the cities has risen by over 23,000 people. The public authorities, both at national and regional levels, are unable to meet the demands for infrastructure, healthcare, and social services posed by the incoming and existing residents, leading to significant strain among the current population, evident in the feeling of overcrowding. New residents settle in a confined territory like ours, where construction is restricted in protected natural areas, rural land, and slopes. While the population pressure is not uniform across all islands, it mainly impacts Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. This calls for Spain and Europe to address the needs of all residents, existing and prospective. Otherwise, we may have to consider enforcing restrictions on the arrival of new residents in the Canary Islands due to the unsustainable circumstances.”
-Would this restriction take the form of a residential moratorium?
“A majority of new residents coming to the Canary Islands are from the European Union, South America, and a smaller number from Africa. Hence, it is imperative to address these issues collaboratively through the Parliament of the Canary Islands, regional government, the Spanish Government, and the European Union. I want to emphasize that this is not about the origin or religion of those moving in from abroad, considering the historical migration patterns of the Canarian people. The primary focus is on sustainability, as continuous growth in the resident population of the Canary Islands at the same rate as the last two decades is unsustainable. The restriction on residency could be temporary, akin to a moratorium, until the housing situation and vital infrastructure, especially in terms of transportation, reach sustainable levels, which they are currently not at. Spain and Europe cannot neglect the control of residency in the Canary Islands. Adopting a one-size-fits-all approach from the continent will not resolve the issues faced by an archipelago located 2,500 km away, with limited land to address its challenges. It is crucial for larger European parties and governments to acknowledge this reality. I believe we have refrained from seeking special treatment from Europe when we are considered an outermost region with distinct characteristics, and we must advocate for our unique position once again.”
-How do you propose implementing the restriction on new residents?
“Over the past 30 years, the European Union has expanded to include more member states, widening the scope for any European citizen to relocate here, while our territorial boundaries remain unchanged. Therefore, we must define sustainability criteria, including residential constraints. The implementation could involve legislation on residency or imposing fiscal or tax burdens on new residents, but this must be addressed in collaboration with Europe, which cannot turn a blind eye to the issue, much like Spain. Over time, I’ve noticed that Europe has exhibited a better understanding of the specificities of the Canary Islands compared to the national government itself. Hence, we intend to present the current situation and future projections to the European Union with supporting data. Restricting residency is inevitable, encompassing individuals within Europe, including Spanish territories, and those from South America.”
-The ongoing demographic expansion not only impacts territorial limitations but also employment.
“Indeed, a significant portion of these individuals come here in search of employment. While jobs have been created over the past two decades, paradoxically, the unemployment rate hasn’t decreased, which is understandable due to the yearly influx of new residents and the insufficient pace of job creation. The same applies to healthcare waiting lists—how can we reduce them when an additional 23,000 residents settle in the islands annually? It’s an insurmountable challenge and arguably the most pressing issue in the Canary Islands at present.”
-This predicament was foreseen. Why wasn’t action taken sooner?
“Both Europe and, predominantly, the Spanish Government, have chosen to overlook these matters. While being part of the European Union, the Canary Islands have had to conform to the same regulations as everyone else. In this regard, we were optimistic about addressing these challenges. However, at present, it is the populace urging us to establish barriers to the entry of new residents, and that’s precisely what we intend to do.”
-To this end, you have proposed initiatives in Parliament concerning population growth linked to the tourism model.
“There are numerous misconceptions surrounding the tourism sector. The hotel accommodation capacity in the Canary Islands has remained stagnant over the last 20 years due to three consecutive moratoriums that halted hotel construction. Nevertheless, the accommodation offering has expanded owing to the surge in holiday rentals, accounting for approximately 57,000 legal beds, a third of the entire current capacity. This growth has extended beyond tourist hubs to encompass all municipalities, presenting a new issue that requires regulation to avert potential escalation. The government is actively addressing this concern. Additionally, another issue impacting coastal zones is that of caravans. The sale or rental of these vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to a saturation of coastal areas, exemplified by the situation in Abades. Therefore, regulation is imperative to address the overwhelming sentiment prevalent among the populace.”
-In addition to this challenge, there is the matter of preserving natural spaces. What solutions do you propose?
“Efforts have been initiated regarding the regulation of natural spaces. We are currently witnessing an unprecedented level of tourist influx in terms of visitors and occupancy. However, 20 years ago, we encouraged tourists to leave parking spaces vacant for local residents during the daytime. This is an approach we may need to revisit to balance the preservation of our natural spaces with tourism demands.”
With the growing trend of tourists opting to stay outside the all-inclusive resorts on the Canary Islands, there is now a pressing need to protect natural areas like Teno, Anaga, and El Teide. This has led to discussions on implementing measures to limit access, either through visitor fees, a common practice in Europe, or by restricting visitor numbers, as seen in Anaga due to infrastructure limitations. The aim is to safeguard these areas, even if it means imposing charges and access restrictions. However, there is a challenge in ensuring that residents are exempt from such fees, a task complicated by current legal frameworks.
-Is State and European involvement necessary for a solution?
“Collaboration between political entities is crucial, especially in the case of the Canary Islands where differing treatment on residential matters could cause internal conflicts. A unified stance from the Spanish and Canary Island governments would strengthen our position in Europe. I believe the Canarian Coalition should lead this effort, with support from other major parties.”
-Addressing Vacation Rental Regulations in Santa Cruz
“Establishing clear regulations is key to providing legal certainty for municipalities to monitor and penalise vacation rentals effectively. There should be consistent standards applied to all types of accommodation providers, ensuring fairness in the market. Efforts are underway to streamline these regulations and provide adequate resources for enforcement.”
-Controlling Foreign Home Purchases
“The increasing trend of foreigners purchasing homes is a separate issue linked to demographic changes and vacation rentals. To maintain control over our land and preserve our way of life, we may need to consider measures such as adjusting tax burdens or imposing restrictions on foreign property acquisitions. Similar practices in European countries show it’s feasible and necessary even in our unique territory.”
-Balancing Resident Needs with Housing Development
“Addressing the housing crisis in the Canary Islands requires expedited construction processes. Declaring an administrative emergency can accelerate construction projects without compromising quality, ensuring new homes are built to meet population demands. This initiative would help alleviate the housing shortage and cater to future needs.”
-The Potential of Declaring Stress Zones
“Designating stress zones has had mixed outcomes in other regions. It may impact rental prices and housing availability differently. Considering the options, exploring the possibility of declaring Santa Cruz as a stress zone is under review.”
