British tourists have been issued a new warning over going on holiday in the Canary Islands as concerns grow about the types of holiday accommodation being advertised.
Reports suggest there has been a rise in unconventional types of holiday accommodation which do not allegedly conform to the region’s vacation rental laws.
While some holiday accommodation advertisements have received five-star reviews from satisfied customers, there are still concerns over them.
According to Canarian Weekly, one example of unusual accommodation was a van that was parked on a terrace with a gas cob, and a cabinet with pots and pans alongside an outdoor bathroom.
Despite one user noting that the van lacked amenities and security standards, it had received positive feedback from nearly 60 reviews, earning an average of 4.83 out of five.
The latest warning comes weeks after a series of protests in the Canary Islands over the high number of tourists visiting the region.
While thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to raise awareness of the impact of overtourism on the Canary Islands, some vendors have spoken positively of foreign visitors.
Speaking to the Express, one business representative, known as ‘Moroccan Mo’ explained how vital tourists from the UK were to the local economy.
He said: “The truth is everyone here lives from the tourists. In Spain, if you don’t have tourists you don’t have nothing. People are talking sh*t and attacking the English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh. But they are the best customers.
“They are the best because they spend money, look after people and live the life. That’s what we like. Brits are really nice, if they go to the bar or the nightclub they give you tips, they give you food and are nice to you.
“They have that in their blood, they can never change it.”
When asked about claims tourists had triggered rents to skyrocket and erase local culture, Mo said: “This is a problem all over the world, not only here. Hotels used to cost €50 to €60 per night after coronavirus, now they’re more than €300.”
Much of the anger directed at tourism in general is over the high amount of holiday accommodations with a severe lack of housing – and staggeringly high rents.