Frustrated locals hit out at anti-tourism protesters in the Canary Islands claiming their economies rely on holidaymakers, urging them to consider how no visitors will “affect their jobs”.
Baffled sunbathers found themselves swarmed by a sea of raging residents holding signs that said: “This is our beach” and “Tourists go home”. But the British tourists seemed unreactive to the protest, continuing to soak up the sunshine.
Anti-tourism marches have spread across Europe, with the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, and Greece facing the brunt of the protests.
Since April, 70 associations have been responsible for the mass protests across the eight islands, campaigning for more affordable housing and against environmental damage. The rallies have now taken to the sandy coastlines among the holidaymakers, starting in the capital cities.
However, Eva María, a housekeeper in one of south Tenerife’s largest hotels, opposed the protests. She told The Telegraph: “I think that the protesters are going about it the wrong way as in the Canary Islands, we live off tourism. My life has improved for the better since tourism came to the islands. I have been able to educate my children and survive. Of course, if they continue to harass tourists, this will become international news and will affect our jobs.”
Despite a heavy reliance on the tourism industry to keep many businesses and towns afloat, locals are demonstrating against the increased influx pushing up house prices and overworking seasonal employees.
Politicians have also defended tourists; however, they have condemned the beach protests. The head of tourism at the People’s Party, David Morales, said he would defend “the right of tourists to enjoy their holidays without being the target of interruptions or gestural or verbal attacks, and certainly not physical attacks.”
This comes as Martin Astley, a long-term resident and Tenerife estate agent, argues: “What would the protesters think if tourists and tour operators boycotted the Canary Islands for a whole year or two?”
In 2023, Tenerife saw 14.1 million foreign holidaymakers last year which is a steady increase from 13 million in 2019.
Tenerife’s neighbouring Island of Lanzarote saw residents take part in a “We Love Tourism” countermarch just after the beach demonstration to prove that not all islands agree with their movement.
One restaurant owner, Augusto Ferreira, told BirminghamLive of the importance tourists hold, being responsible for the island’s economies. He said: “I have walked many streets visiting businesses and talking to people. I have heard very nice stories from people who say their family live off tourism, and that thanks to tourism they are what they are.”
