Spanish islands issue urgent plea to UK tourists insisting ‘it is still safe’

Spanish islands issue urgent plea to UK tourists insisting ‘it is still safe’

A tourism leader in the Canary Islands has issued an urgent plea to Brits to keep visiting the destination. It comes after months of growing anti-tourism sentiment among residents of the Spanish islands.

Tourism is causing a debate for the islands, which have long-been a popular holiday destination among Brits for decades. For some residents there are concerns that overcrowding from tourists is damaging the islands with experts warning earlier this year that the region faces “systematic collapse”.

In 2023 a record 16-million visitors descended upon the islands, with as many as half of those being Brits, according to one estimate, The Mirror reports. In April residents took part in protests across the islands chanting that they “have a limit”.

READ MORE: Warning to UK tourists as Canary Islands announce state of ‘pre-alert’

As tourists move from hotels to Airbnb’s rents on the islands have soared as well as increasing pressure on water resources, locals say. There’s been a rise in anti-tourism graffiti including messages like ‘Tourists go home’ and ‘My misery your paradise,’ daubed onto walls.

People enjoy the crystal clear turquoise waters of Papagayo beach, in Los Ajaches Natural Park, south of Lanzarote

Tourism chiefs are urging Brits to keep visiting the islands -Credit:LightRocket via Getty Images

Now those in charge of the islands, which make most of their money from tourism, are worried that the anti-tourist rhetoric will be bad for business, with tourists choosing to go elsewhere. Regional tourism chief, Jessica de León, pleaded with Brits to keep visiting.

She told the Telegraph that she would be ‘delighted to welcome’ tourists to the islands. She added: “It is still safe to visit the Canary islands. People who come here to visit and spend their money must not be criticised or insulted. We are playing with our main source of income.”

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo asked tourists to keep coming there on holiday earlier this month. “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,” he said.

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