Canary Islands go to war against bargain British tourists
Tenerife locals rage against UK holidaymakers who “drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips”
Residents in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, are expressing frustration with the latest influx of British tourists over Easter, leading to a rise in anti-tourism sentiment and controversial graffiti. Locals claim that tourists are driving up housing costs, causing noise pollution and disrupting the natural habitat.
In response to the growing tensions, two protests are being organised in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife. The first protest, scheduled for April 2, aims to bring attention to the issue of rising housing costs and the impact of tourism on the local community. A second protest, planned for April 20, will focus on conservation efforts and stricter regulations for foreigners purchasing property.
Tech worker Iván Cerdeña Molina, 36, is helping to organise the second protest as part of his role at local conservation group ATAN. He expressed concern over the rising costs of renting and buying homes, stating that it has become a crisis for locals. Many residents are struggling to afford basic necessities, and some are even living in their cars or caves, he said.
The Canary Islands aren’t the only place in Spain where locals feel they are being priced out of the market. In the Alicante municipality of Altea, the local government has placed an outright ban on any new tourist accommodation licences for the entire year, sparking concern among real estate agents that developers and investors will decamp to neighbouring towns and cities.
Vicky Colomer, a 63-year-old local painter, echoed Mr Molina's concerns.
“I feel like a foreigner here, I don’t feel comfortable anymore, it’s like everything is made for British and German tourists who just want to drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips,” she said.
“We need higher quality tourists who actually want to experience our culture and food and respect our nature.
“There are hundreds of caravans who park up illegally and leave rubbish all over the place.
“There are hundreds of boats and jet skis in our waters every day, pumping petrol into the water.”
Additionally, there are concerns over the environmental impact of tourism in Tenerife. Environmental group Salvar Tenerife reports that millions of litres of sewage water are being dumped into the sea daily, with the amount increasing significantly during peak tourist season. This pollution affects not only the ocean but also the island's wildlife, including whales and other marine animals.
Despite these issues, there appears to be a lack of enforcement in protecting the area’s natural resources. While some locals are advocating for change, others appear resistant to the idea of limiting tourism.
One poster taped to a wall said: “Locals are forced to move out and YOU are responsible for that… digital nomads you are NOT welcome here.”
A response written in English, found alongside the anti-tourism slogan, read, “F**ck off, we pay your wages!”
Image: @TheNorskaPaul/Twitter
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