On Sunday, a large crowd gathered in popular vacation spots across Spain’s Canary Islands to voice their concerns about over tourism, which they claim is making housing unaffordable for locals.

With the rallying cry “Canary Islands has a limit,” residents participated in coordinated demonstrations in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and El Hierro, demanding a rethink of the islands’ tourism approach.

At Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, protesters took to the beach amid sunbathing tourists, chanting “This beach belongs to us.”

Activists argue that the influx of millions of tourists each year drains limited natural resources such as water and harms the environment. The Spanish government reported that at least 8,000 individuals joined the protests.

According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute, 9.9 million tourists visited the Canary Islands from January to September, a 10.3% rise compared to the same timeframe in 2023. The islands had a population of 2.2 million last year.

“We need a shift in the tourist model so that it benefits local communities, valuing the unique beauty of this land,” said 32-year-old Sara Lopez to Reuters in Gran Canaria on Sunday.

This year, Spain—where tourism plays a crucial role in the economy—has witnessed several protests against over tourism in cities like Barcelona, and in other popular destinations such as Mallorca and Malaga.

The regional government of the Canary Islands is preparing to implement a new law aimed at tightening regulations on short-term rentals, in response to complaints from local citizens who are struggling with rising housing costs.

New properties will not be allowed to enter the short-let market, and property owners with existing permits must meet certain conditions, including giving neighboring residents the right to object.

Due to a surge in private rental listings, the Canary Islands is taking measures against tourist rentals.

On Saturday, hundreds of demonstrators in Valencia protested for increased affordable housing, citing that tourist rentals drive up costs.