Lanzarote residents cite love-lock trend as island’s biggest tourist problem

An expatriate Brit living in Lanzarote says the island’s tourism is producing a problem he calls the love lock explosion, a trend he argues is the biggest tourist issue facing the island. Locals point to Playa Flamingo in Playa Blanca, where railings have become covered with padlocks and permanent markings in recent months.

David Gainford, who operates online as Mr TravelON, released a video detailing what he terms a growing environmental impact on the island. He notes that shops have begun selling plastic locks and permanent markers to encourage visitors to tag the scenery, a practice he says is turning romantic symbolism into plastic pollution and physical damage.

Gainford’s message has circulated to his YouTube audience of about 75,000 subscribers. The video portrays Lanzarote as a paradise, but he argues that love locks are not a loving gesture but vandalism that accelerates plastic pollution. He describes the practice as a cash grab by sellers, with the locks fading and rusting and some locations reporting damaged railings as evidence. The worst part, he says, is the way railings have actually fallen down under the weight of the locks, illustrating the tangible damage behind a seemingly simple gesture.

On Playa Flamingo, the erosion of railings and surrounding infrastructure has drawn particular attention. Gainford calls for a halt to the sale of plastic padlocks and for cooperation among the council, environmental groups, and tourists to curb the trend. He also points to a government advertising campaign on the island that urges visitors to respect the environment and act responsibly, arguing that sentiment needs to be matched by policy.

Environmental and local-government responses to the issue emphasize the need to protect coastal ecosystems and maintain the aesthetic appeal that drives Lanzarote’s tourism industry. While love locks have appeared in the Canary Islands for some time, Gainford contends that the current plastic version represents a new level of environmental risk, with locks that fade, rust, and contribute to visual pollution and litter.

Officials have signaled a broader push to integrate sustainability into Lanzarote’s tourism strategy, balancing economic benefits with conservation. The ongoing discussion reflects a wider regional concern about managing visitor impact in popular destinations across the Canary Islands.

Gainford’s call for action encompasses restricting the sale of plastic padlocks, strengthening enforcement around vandalism, and fostering greater collaboration among local authorities, environmental groups, and travelers. The situation in Lanzarote illustrates how tourist gestures can have unintended environmental consequences when not guided by sustainable practices. As the island develops its tourism plan, observers say the focus on ecological stewardship will be a key component of its future appeal.