Ahead of mass “anti-tourism” protests in the Canary Islands, locals say they “love” Brits and tourists are welcome, but the money is not coming and the number of rental properties is destroying the market for those who They live in the archipelago.
Anti-tourism protests will take place on April 20 in the Canary Islands of Tenerife Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma.
Activists and environmentalists warned last week that locals are being forced to live in their cars – and even in caves – due to the impact of large tourist operators, which are “consuming” the area.
Ahead of the protests, Tenerife residents and the island’s tour operators said British tourists are still “very welcome” and that the real problem is homelessness, and protesters called on the government to take action.
speaking to On the beach travel agency, Tenerife local Samantha Hasala said: ‘People here are fighting, protesting because there are many people – owners – who simply rent [their properties] on vacation and that is destroying the market for those of us who live here.
Anti-tourism protests are planned to take place in the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma on April 20 (sign says: Canary Islands not for sale)
‘A lot of people say in general “we don’t want tourists here anymore”, but it’s not really about British people. It’s simply because most of our tourists are British. “We love the British.”
The reservations manager, who works at the Columbus Aparthotel on the south coast of the island, adds: “There are a lot of people who say ‘they’re always drunk’, but come on, [it’s] vacation. I think that’s the spirit. Everyone deserves a vacation and just have fun. They don’t destroy anything, so it’s fine with me.’
Jamie Lucas, a 39-year-old tour salesman who has lived in Tenerife for six years, told British tourists “don’t be afraid.”
He added: “That seems to be the narrative right now: tourists are not welcome.” This is not true and no one here feels that way. “It’s not about tourism.”
Isabel Ferraira, reservations director at Tenerife’s Laguna Park hotels, attributed the tensions to a lack of affordable housing and low wages in the Canary Islands.
“The population has increased a lot, so we don’t have houses for everyone, so prices are going up and salaries are very low,” he said. “That’s our problem, but it’s not against tourists.”
Tenerife local Samantha Hasala (pictured) said the protests are “not really about the British”.
Tenerife residents say British tourists remain “very welcome” despite anti-tourism campaigns being carried out in the Canary Islands. In the photo: Las Teresitas Beach, Tenerife.
Echoing his sentiments, Las Pirámides Resort manager Yusuf said British people are “good tourists” and “very welcome.” The protests, he said, are due to a shortage of affordable housing for local people and congestion on the roads.
‘The government has to do its job a little better. Here they are moving very slowly, not very well,” he added.
While Arunsu Hdez, from Tenerife, stated that the protesters ask that ‘the government act’ for the people of Tenerife and ‘not that the British do not come’.
Yusuf, manager of Las Pirámides Resort, said the British are “good tourists” and that the protests are due to a shortage of affordable housing for local people and road congestion.
Jamie Lucas (above), a 39-year-old tour seller who has lived in Tenerife for six years, told British tourists “don’t be afraid”.
Among Tenerife’s main draws for Brits are “fantastic year-round weather and cheap pints”, which cost an average of £2.58, according to On the Beach.
Despite the protests, the number of tourists traveling to the Canary Islands for the winter holidays in 2024 increased 15 percent year-on-year, he added.
Zoe Harris, customer services director at On the Beach, said: “We were concerned by news emerging from Tenerife about anti-tourist graffiti and angry locals.
‘Tenerife has always been a welcoming and popular place for Brits, so we sent a team to speak directly to locals. It turns out that it is not the British they are unhappy with, but their own government.
“So our advice to anyone thinking about booking a holiday on the island is not to be discouraged – warm weather, ice-cold drinks and fantastic hotels with even friendlier local people await.”