Canary Islands Housing Crisis Spills Into Protected Natural Areas

The housing crisis in the Canary Islands has reached a critical point, moving beyond traditional residential shortages and now threatening protected natural areas. Jorge Marichal, president of the hotel association Ashotel, warned on La Radio Canaria this Monday that the rise of informal settlements near tourist hubs—particularly in Arona, Tenerife—has become a major public order and land-management issue that demands immediate government action.

The tourism sector reports that this is no longer just a matter of people living in recreational vehicles; it has evolved into permanent shanty-style housing within sensitive natural spaces. This trend highlights a growing conflict between the lack of affordable housing and the need to protect the environment, a balance that Ashotel argues is currently failing.

While Ashotel insists that the occupation of protected land is unsustainable and cannot be tolerated, they acknowledge the underlying cause: many people simply cannot afford to enter the formal housing market. The association is calling on authorities to provide genuine housing alternatives. They argue that without effective urban planning that addresses both the social housing emergency and environmental protection, the integrity of the islands' natural landscapes will continue to be at risk.