Caravan enthusiasts in Gran Canaria are preparing to stage a protest this Saturday, 12th April, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The demonstration, organised by the Platform for Autonomous Motorhomes (PACA), is being led by Jesús Gallardo, who has rallied support from up to 300 motorhome owners.
The protest aims to highlight the lack of designated overnight parking areas, waste disposal facilities, and dedicated caravan spaces both inside and outside the town centre.
Gallardo claims the caravan community faces ongoing discrimination in the municipality, citing fines and a lack of basic infrastructure as key concerns. He is calling for fair regulation to ensure that motorhome tourism, an increasingly popular form of travel in the Canary Islands, is properly supported rather than penalised.
While he praised the openness of Alejandro Marichal, the deputy mayor, for showing willingness to find solutions, he expressed disappointment with Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez. Gallardo accuses him of failing to provide concrete answers, claiming that Pérez stated there were no suitable areas available for caravan parking.
In response to the impasse, PACA has decided to proceed with the demonstration. However, the original protest route, which would have passed through busy tourist areas such as Playa del Inglés, Campo Internacional, and Meloneras,has been altered due to police concerns about traffic disruptions at the beginning of the Easter holiday period.
The demonstration will now begin at 11:00am near the funeral home in Castillo del Romeral and will follow the GC-500 road in the direction of Mogán, stopping short of the El Pajar neighbourhood.
Mayor Pérez has rejected claims of discrimination, stating that caravans are already present in several areas of the municipality, including some near the Town Hall. He also added that private land could be a viable option and encouraged motorhome owners to negotiate agreements directly with landowners for overnight stays.
Despite the ongoing debate, municipal sources have indicated that efforts are underway to identify suitable spaces that comply with safety and urban planning requirements, suggesting that a longer-term solution may yet be found.
As tensions rise between caravan owners and local authorities, Saturday’s protest is expected to serve as both a demonstration of solidarity within the motorhome community and a call for more inclusive tourism policies in southern Gran Canaria.
