Every summer Gran Canaria, as one of the most popular Canary Islands, is awash with Brits seeking sun and sea.
But soon the holiday mecca may go the way of other tourist hot spots by introdcuing measures designed to curb the number of tourists arriving.
Local leaders are mulling the possibility of slapping a tourist tax on anyone wanting to travel to one of Gran Canaria’s best-known beauty spots: Roque Nublo.
The stunning sight is nearly 6000ft above sea level, so the volcanic rock can regularly be seen puncturing the clouds.
Its incredible beauty has made it a major draw for tourists from all over, but now the local authority is keen to manage the flow of visitors.
A study has been commissioned to assess the practicality of the scheme, and authority leader Antonio Morales has said that local government has a broader plan to protect the island’s natural spaces from environmental degredation.
He said that included the Maspalomas Sand Dunes and the Bandama Caldera.
It is unclear, if a tax is levied on visitors, how much that tax will be.
Another plan could see tourists ferried by shuttle buses to Roque Nublo, to stop people driving there in cars.
The move comes as Tenerife’s local government plans to introduce an ecotax on tourists, from January 1 2025.
Announcing the plans on Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ms Davila said: « As of January 1, 2025, Tenerife will have an ecotax for tourists who visit the Island.
« An ecotax 100% destined for the conservation, improvement and protection of our natural spaces. Residents of the island of Tenerife will NOT pay the ecotax to enjoy our spaces. »
Locals across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and even the Balearic Islands have staged anti-tourist protests in recent months.
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