Drastic measures that could even involve the elimination of shopping centers located on the sand. Playa del Inglés, the iconic southern Gran Canaria destination that flourished with the tourism boom of past decades, faces a major challenge: the obsolescence of many of its shopping centers. Many of these enclaves, once bustling epicenters of leisure and shopping, now look bleak, with closed stores and an antiquated aesthetic that contrasts with the image of modernity sought by today's travelers. Given this scenario, the drastic measure of declaring a "tourism emergency" emerges as a bold theory, a possible lifeline that could provide the Gran Canaria Island Council with the necessary tools to promote comprehensive regeneration.
Looking at Europe, several destinations have already taken decisive measures that, while not always formally labeled as "states of emergency," function as urgent interventions to reorganize or protect their tourism model. Examples such as the access tax and ban on large cruise ships in Venice, the ambitious phasing out of tourist apartments in Barcelona by 2028, restrictions on overcrowded tourism and cruise ships in Amsterdam, or visitor limits in Dubrovnik's historic center demonstrate the willingness of governments to act drastically when the destination's sustainability is at stake. These actions suggest that the idea of a "tourism emergency" for Playa del Inglés is not merely a theory, but a potential spark to ignite its urgently needed regeneration.
Playa del Inglés-San Agustín (tourist area) recorded 1.676.729 inbound travelers and 14.183.346 overnight stays, with a hotel occupancy rate of 79,67% (recent data available for the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which includes Playa del Inglés). The average daily spending in Gran Canaria (Q1 2025) reached €180,97, and per trip is estimated at €1.731 per tourist (including flights). The average spending excluding flights was €1.196. British and German tourists, who represent the majority in Playa del Inglés, are among the biggest spenders.
The situation is complex. Playa del Inglés, like other mature destinations, is experiencing the effects of what is known as "overtourism" in some aspects: saturation during high season, pressure on services, and, in this case, a commercial infrastructure that hasn't been able to adapt. But, unlike Venice or Barcelona, where the "emergency" has manifested itself in the need to limit influx or vacation rentals, in Gran Canaria the focus could be on regenerating vital spaces that are hindering the destination's competitiveness.
In theory, yes. As the main institution of island government, the Island Council has key powers in land use planning, tourism, and economic development. A declaration of this nature, supported by a technical analysis demonstrating the threat that the deterioration of these centers poses to the area's tourism economy, could justify the adoption of exceptional measures. This would not only entail streamlining bureaucratic procedures for granting licenses and building permits, but also the ability to mobilize specific financial resources, both public (European, state, or local funds) and private, through incentives or collaborative frameworks. The objective would be clear: to transform these spaces into modern shopping and leisure complexes, in line with the expectations of 21st-century tourists. In extreme cases, and under an exceptional legal framework, even the intervention or forced management of abandoned buildings could be considered to ensure their rehabilitation.
