Tenerife Groups Plan Protest Against Los Cristianos Port Expansion

Public opposition to the expansion of the Los Cristianos port in southern Tenerife has reached a critical point. As reported by El Día, a coalition of local business, cultural, and fishing groups has organized a protest this Sunday to stop the project, which they argue will cause significant environmental damage.

The protest stems from a long-standing debate over how to balance island travel with coastal sustainability. Jorge Bello, who leads the organizing group, says that while they support the need for reliable transport for residents of La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro, they believe expanding the port is not the right solution. Their primary concerns are the potential damage to the local beach—the area’s main economic driver—and the worsening of traffic congestion that has affected the municipality for 30 years.

Instead of building new infrastructure, the group suggests a logistical shift. They propose moving freight traffic to the ports of Granadilla de Abona and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, arguing that these facilities already have the capacity to handle the load. They also suggest adjusting ferry schedules to immediately reduce traffic jams.

The group is now working to gain broader political support. After winning unanimous backing from the Arona City Council, they plan to take their case to other regional councils, the Tenerife Island Council, the regional government, and the Port Authority. Organizers expect between 800 and 1,500 people to attend the demonstration, which they intend to keep as a peaceful, family-friendly, and non-partisan event.

This conflict highlights the ongoing challenge of managing infrastructure in the Canary Islands, where tourism and population growth often clash with environmental needs. The group’s push for immediate action on traffic congestion underscores the urgent need for a clear, consensus-based plan for the future of the Tenerife coastline.