Brits seeking a last-minute dash to the sun are being warned to steer clear of Tenerife’s beaches and hotspots this weekend.
With the British summer now a distant memory, those desperate to escape the dreary weather might fancy a quick flight to bask in the enduring sunshine. However, tourists currently soaking up the rays in Tenerife or those with plans to jet there have been advised to avoid certain popular areas.
The caution comes amid a wave of anti-tourism demonstrations throughout the year across Spain’s idyllic destinations, including the Canary Islands.
Residents are up in arms over the influx of holidaymakers, accusing them of driving up property prices and pushing locals out of their own neighbourhoods by snapping up vacation homes.
Further protests are set to erupt this weekend across the Canaries, particularly in Playa de las Americas, Tenerife’s swanky beach resort, which is popular with tourists.
A TikTok video circulated by Canarian Weekly issued a stark warning: “A warning if you are on holiday in the Canary Islands this weekend – there are going to be mass protests on the streets and the main tourist areas of Playa de las Americas, Corralejo, Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote, and of course, Maspalomas in Gran Canaria.
“These are against the government for mass tourism. After the demonstrations in April where no action took place, protestors are now taking to the streets right in the middle of tourist areas. So keep your eyes open, try and keep away from them. There won’t be any trouble, there’ll be plenty of police, but it’s something that you need to be aware of and try and keep away from if you can.”
Commenters on the video were grateful for the heads-up, with many unaware of the impending protests. Yet, others stood up for the protestors’ cause, asserting they don’t oppose tourism per se but advocate for “properly controlled” tourism to safeguard locals’ interests.
One individual remarked: “They are not against tourism. It just has to be properly controlled. How would you like your domestic water turned off just so that holidaymakers can have a swimming pool?”
Another observed: “Peaceful protests happen every day all over the world. They want tourists to boost the island’s income.”
Meanwhile, a British holidaymaker recalled her encounter with Spain’s anti-tourism sentiment upon arriving in Majorca, as she was greeted by a throng of protesters waving banners decrying “too many tourists, too many cars, too many yachts, too many bicycles, too much waste, too much pollution. SOS residents”.
In a heartfelt TikTok video, a woman named Kellie expressed solidarity with the local residents of Majorca. She supported their plea for enhanced “control” amid what is shaping up to be a “rental crisis”.
Kellie voiced: “A warm tourist welcome in Majorca. 10k+ people gather in the streets of Palma to peacefully protest the Airbnbs and over crowds of tourists and rental problems… and probably many things I’m unaware of. (But I totally understand the rental crisis and there does need to be control over it).”