Tourism boom on Fuerteventura: Curse or blessing for the island?

Tourism boom on Fuerteventura: Curse or blessing for the island?

Fuerteventura, Spanien - Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, faces a dramatic increase in the number of tourists. In the first quarter of 2023, over 758,000 vacationers traveled to the island, which means 7.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. The island has thus recorded the greatest growth under the Canary Islands, while others such as Lanzarote and Tenerife have only lower growth of 1.9 percent and 2.1 percent. Despite the economic advantages for the local economy and the labor market, the situation is ensured by the residents due to the burden of the infrastructure.

The problems associated with the growing number of tourists are considerable. The streets, water supply and waste disposal of the island reach their limits. Residents are concerned about popular beach sections and nature reserves, while tourism is booming. Last Sunday, this worries became clear by demonstrations on Fuerteventura and the other Canary Islands against the "non-sustainable and exploitative mass tourism". Critics urgently demand more sustainable alternatives in tourism. Experts warn that without targeted planning and investments, permanent damage to the island's attractions threaten.

environment and infrastructure under pressure

The high number of 2,200 tourists per 100 inhabitants, which Fuerteventura receives annually, is the highest in Spain. Every month, around 150,000 vacationers visit the island, which affects 70 percent of gross domestic product and 60 percent of the region's workers. There is an urgent need to improve the tourist infrastructure accordingly, since the west coast, including La Oliva and Pájara, is already saturated. In contrast, the East and the inner country remain largely untouched.

Despite the existing protected areas, the environment and nature conservation are increasingly being attacked by construction projects. Finally, the island use plan (PIO) in 2017 in favor of tourist projects was changed, which led to violent protests. Nevertheless, 12 new tourist zones are to be shown, and the planned "Dreamland" themed park near the dunes of Corralejo provides controversy despite public resistance. The project costs amount to 77 million euros and include various leisure activities. The mayor of Puerto del Rosario supports the project, which leads to a sharp conflict with environmentalists.

renewable energies on the advance

Another aspect of development on Fuerteventura is the expansion of renewable energies. 22 wind farms and 51 photovoltaic systems are planned, which would take a total of around 6.6 million square meters of space. In view of the fact that the island only needs 76 megawatts, these projects could significantly change the landscape of the island. Solar parks could perform 217 MW and wind farms 227 MW. Nevertheless, the environmental engineer Roque Calero expresses concerns and calls for an overall concept to regulate these projects, especially with a view to the sensitive natural areas of the island.

The tourism minister of the Canary Islands, Jessia de Leon, announced a fundamental change in the tourism concept in November 2024. Your goal is to create a clear regulatory framework, to redesign the tourist zones and to introduce targeted climate protection measures. In doing so, it emphasizes the protection of the environment and the quality of life of the residents as central concerns. Without these changes, Fuerteventura could not only endanger its natural heritage, but also the satisfaction of its residents in the future.