TENERIFE has urged Brits to continue holidaying on the island despite a planned massive protest over “low-quality” tourists.
UK holidaymakers were previously told to “go home” as residents were “fed-up” of tourists who only come for the cheap beer, burgers and sunbathing.
AlamyTenerife asked Brits to keep coming to the island for holidays despite planned marches[/caption]
RexAnti-tourist graffitis have been spotted on the island as locals grow dissatisfied[/caption]
Canarian WeeklyResidents protest over the cost of living and unfair wages as a result of mass tourism[/caption]
Now, they are demanding a tourist tax, less flights to the island and a clampdown on foreigners buying houses.
The Canary Island’s president expressed his concern over the growing anti-tourism movement that blasts beer-drinking Brits as a “cancer”.
Locals are expected to take to the streets on five of the archipelago’s islands, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, on April 20.
The demonstration in Teneriffe is predicted to be the largest in the island’s history.
Protesters will chant the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit” as they lay out their demands against the effect mass tourism has on the cost of housing.
It follows a wave of new anti-tourist graffiti that has been sprayed across the island to tell Brits they are not welcome.
Bitter messages outside tourism hotspots read “your paradise, our misery” and “Average salary in Canary Islands is 1,200 euros.”
“Locals are forced to move out and YOU are responsible for that,” said a furious printed sign.
Lope Afonso, vice-president of the Tenerife Island Council, has disapproved of the planned protests, saying he regrets that the “unfair” attacks were being aimed at tourists.
The island’s regional president, Fernando Clavijo, has asked the holidaymakers to keep coming.
He said: “We are worried because tourism is our main source of income and I think that whoever comes here to enjoy, to spend a few days and to leave their money in the Canary Islands, shouldn’t be rebuked or face insults.”
Meanwhile, the organisers of the protest said their anger is directed at the government rather than tourists as they ask for change.
They claim that AirBnBs and other holiday rentals are driving up the cost of living and that they are sick of the noise, traffic and rubbish that accompany the avalanche of vacationers that visit every year.
Jaime Coello, president of the Telesforo Bravo Foundation, said: “The quality of the tourist product is being destroyed by the investors and the regional government.”
Spanish press has also called on the authorities to enact new measures to curb tourism and said visitors were still welcome.
Canarian Weekly suggested pressuring the government to cease giving massive tax breaks to hotel chains and heavily taxing employees.
A record-breaking 6.5 million people visited Tenerife in 2023.
The staggering number of arrivals has taken a toll on the island’s resources with locals struggling to climb on the property ladder.
Most of the hospitality workers’ wages are also being eaten away by taxes.
TOURIST TRAP
A RISING number of visitors in idyllic holiday hotspots is forcing out locals.
Important amenities such as post offices and village shops are being disposed of to make way for more houses and cafes for tourists.
Locals are also struggling to climb on the property ladder as many houses sit empty, being used as second homes and holiday lets.
In some hotspots this has created a major housing crisis as demand for accommodation and second homes drives house prices sky high.
Road infrastructure and parking systems often can’t cope with more tourists – leading to traffic chaos and safety concerns.
The issues see younger families leaving the area, in turn making it harder for community members left behind.
Clavijo insisted that the government is striving to address the housing affordability and he personally supports the redistribution of tourist income.
He said: “We can talk and analyse things to try to improve them but what we can’t do is attack our principal source of income and wealth because it would be totally irresponsible.
“What we need here is common sense and tranquillity.
“Never should there be attacks on an economic activity that puts food on the plate of most people living in the Canary Islands.”
AlamyA staggering 6.5 million of people have visited Tenerife in 2023[/caption]
Canarian WeeklyThe protesters are concerned over environmental effects of tourism[/caption]
Canarian WeeklyAnti-tourism slogans have popped up all over the island[/caption]
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