Canary Islands to tear up tourism rulebook & launch crackdown on Brits with new laws ahead of mass protests
BRITS heading to the sun-soaked Canary Islands this summer are in for a shock with furious locals plotting mass protests and the government ripping up its tourism rulebook.
Holiday hotspots like Tenerife are bracing for a summer of unrest as residents rise up against what they claim is a 'predatory model' of tourism that's pushed locals to the brink.
7
7
7
Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18 — right as peak holiday season begins.
'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit).
'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.'
The movement — now spreading beyond Tenerife — insists it's no longer business as usual for tourism in the region.
'The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few,' the statement read.
In a separate warning, the group said: 'This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures.'
The backlash follows a 170,000-strong hotel and restaurant workers' strike across the islands just days ago, with locals slamming low wages and poor working conditions in the booming holiday industry.
In June last year, beach workers also walked off the job over what unions called "precarious" conditions.
As tensions boil over, the Canary Islands Government has now announced plans to completely overhaul its outdated 30-year-old tourism laws in a landmark reform effort.
Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the regional government, said: 'We're doing this the Canary Islands way — extending a hand and listening to everyone.'
7
The sweeping reforms aim to tackle everything from sky-high housing costs in tourist areas to crumbling infrastructure and overworked public services.
Jessica de León, the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, stressed the need to protect residents' quality of life.
'The new regulation must align with today's social and environmental realities, correcting outdated elements and integrating changes from national and regional rulings, including Constitutional Court decisions,' she said.
She also confirmed that changes would include defining tourism-heavy municipalities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades where they're most needed.
The new legal framework is expected to roll out over the coming months.
It will also set tougher planning and building standards, tighten rules on holiday rentals, and introduce the first regulation for campsites and outdoor tourism.
Despite the chaos, unions have urged tourists not to cancel their holidays, insisting their anger is aimed at the system, not the sunseekers.
7
7
But protests are set to escalate fast.
On April 5, anti-tourism protests exploded across Spain, with furious demonstrators flooding over 40 cities — from Barcelona to Madrid — in one of the largest uprisings yet.
Some activists even urged locals to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to keep them out of use.
Protests followed on from a series of demonstrations last summer.
Canary island beach workers also went on strike in June over precarious working conditions.
Unions said they wanted to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike but asked them not to cancel their plans.
They also said they didn't want tourists to change their image of the Canaries as a good holiday destination.
In March, campaigners issued a chilling open letter to foreign visitors, telling them: 'ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. DO NOT COME.'
Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots
MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures.
Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities.
Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable.
They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer.
Last April, thousands of people took to the streets in Tenerife to demand restrictions on holidaymakers after telling Brits to "go home".
The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read 'You enjoy we suffer' in English.
Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
The marches were organised under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit.'
Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are 'very worried' by the anger growing amongst island residents but branded holiday homes in Spain a "virus".
More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport reportedly approved an initiative to reintroduce a cap on cruise ships to Palma, Majorca's capital.
Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brits face holiday hotspot hell as bar staff in Tenerife send ultimatum to bosses or vow they will strike in peak season
BRITS chasing the sun this summer could face fresh holiday hell as bar staff prepare to strike during peak season. It comes after 80,000 employees took to the streets in Tenerife earlier in the year demanding better pay and working conditions. 6 Bar staff have threatened a mass walk out if their pay demands are not met Credit: Louis Wood 6 Thousands of locals flooded the streets to protest mass tourism Credit: Getty 6 Locals called on tighter restrictions Credit: AFP In a move that could spark chaos for Brits travelling to Tenerife this summer, union bosses said industrial action could start as early as July. The unions, Sindicalistas de Base and UGT, have issued bosses with an ultimatum, warning of a major walk out if they are not granted a 6.5 per cent salary bump. They have made it clear that no further negotiations will happen if these conditions are not met. This isn't the first time Tenerife has been at the centre of sweeping industrial action. Last month, cleaners and restaurant workers in the sunny hotspot took to the streets after deeming an offer from their employer not acceptable. The tourism employers' association, formed by Ashotel and AERO, had offered a four per cent increase in pay for workers, hoping it would prevent them from protesting during the Easter holidays. But unions wanted 6.25 per cent. They said their decision was unanimous and would not change plans to strike against tourists. With over 170,000 tourism workers in the Canary Islands set to protest, business owners about to welcome thousands of tourists were despairing. They planned to demonstrate in all the tourist hotspots, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Inside Tenerife's ongoing war between tourists and locals By law, strikers have to provide a "minimum service" but the unions said hotel cleaning, food and entertainment don't fall into this category. They said they must try and preserve the health of hotel workers and provide them with the very best of working conditions. Elsewhere, locals flooded the streets to protest against mass tourism in the area. Activists vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18 — right as peak holiday season begins. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' 'The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few,' the statement read. In a separate warning, the group said: 'This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures.' The backlash follows a 170,000-strong hotel and restaurant workers' strike across the islands just days ago, with locals slamming low wages and poor working conditions in the booming holiday industry. In June last year, beach workers also walked off the job over what unions called "precarious" conditions. As tensions boil over, the Canary Islands Government has now announced plans to completely overhaul its outdated 30-year-old tourism laws in a landmark reform effort. Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the regional government, said: 'We're doing this the Canary Islands way — extending a hand and listening to everyone.' The sweeping reforms aim to tackle everything from sky-high housing costs in tourist areas to crumbling infrastructure and overworked public services. 6 Thousands of people took to the streets Credit: Getty 6 Activists vowed to storm popular tourist attractions Credit: Getty
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Challenges loom as new Romanian President sworn in
However, multiple challenges lie ahead. Mr Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former mayor of the capital, Bucharest, decisively won the tense re-run in a run-off on May 18, beating his hard-right opponent George Simion. Mr Simion later challenged the results at a top court, but was rejected last week. At the inauguration ceremony in a joint session of parliament, Mr Dan signed the constitutional oath. In a speech afterward, he promised to tackle Romania's economic woes and to be a president 'open to the voice of society'. Mr Dan was elected after a tense run-off (AP) 'The Romanian state needs a fundamental change … and I invite you to continue to be involved with all the social force you have proven, to put positive pressure on the institutions of the Romanian state so that they can reform,' he said. 'I assure you that I will be a president who listens to the voice of society and who is a partner to that society.' The May election was held months after the Constitutional Court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu led the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. The court's unprecedented decision last year plunged Romania, which is a member of Nato as well as the EU, into a period of unprecedented political turmoil. The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. In the presidential election re-run, Mr Dan ran independently on an 'Honest Romania' ticket, reaffirming Western ties, continued support for Ukraine, and fiscal reforms. Mr Dan has said he will be a steadfast ally to Nato (AP) Addressing the economic challenges that lie ahead, Mr Dan said 'put simply … the Romanian state is spending more than it can afford'. 'It is in the national interest for Romania to send a message of stability to financial markets,' he added. 'It is in the national interest to send a signal of openness and predictability to the investment environment.' Many observers viewed the election outcome as crucial to maintaining Romania's place within Western alliances, especially as the war continues in neighbouring Ukraine. At the same time, the continent scrambles to arm itself as the United States' commitment to European partners has waned under US President Donald Trump. As Mr Dan begins his mandate, he faces the immediate challenge of nominating a prime minister who can garner the support necessary to form a government, a tall order in a country where a rejection of the political class led to the emergence of figures like Mr Georgescu and Mr Simion. Mr Dan will also have to contend with a string of other crises, such as a large budget deficit, deep societal divisions exposed by the chaotic election cycle, and the war that drags on next door. Mr Dan was previously mayor of Bucharest (AP) Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says that forming a new cabinet will be 'a major test' that will indicate whether Mr Dan is capable of mediating between the fragmented political parties. 'Dan will face fierce resistance from the state apparatus and old politicians in his pursuit to start reforms,' he told The Associated Press. 'Although the economic crisis is urgent, the political and societal divisions are those that the new president has to address in the longer term.' He added that, with populism growing in popularity, a deeper political crisis was 'put on hold and a new one will be in the making' ahead of future elections. 'The success of his presidency will decide if we can avert such a crisis or not,' he said. A day after he won the presidency, Mr Dan had a call with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in which he declared Romania 'will remain a steadfast ally' within the alliance.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Challenges loom as new Romanian President sworn in
However, multiple challenges lie ahead. Mr Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former mayor of the capital, Bucharest, decisively won the tense re-run in a run-off on May 18, beating his hard-right opponent George Simion. Mr Simion later challenged the results at a top court, but was rejected last week. At the inauguration ceremony in a joint session of parliament, Mr Dan signed the constitutional oath. In a speech afterward, he promised to tackle Romania's economic woes and to be a president 'open to the voice of society'. 'The Romanian state needs a fundamental change … and I invite you to continue to be involved with all the social force you have proven, to put positive pressure on the institutions of the Romanian state so that they can reform,' he said. 'I assure you that I will be a president who listens to the voice of society and who is a partner to that society.' The May election was held months after the Constitutional Court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu led the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. The court's unprecedented decision last year plunged Romania, which is a member of Nato as well as the EU, into a period of unprecedented political turmoil. The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. In the presidential election re-run, Mr Dan ran independently on an 'Honest Romania' ticket, reaffirming Western ties, continued support for Ukraine, and fiscal reforms. Addressing the economic challenges that lie ahead, Mr Dan said 'put simply … the Romanian state is spending more than it can afford'. 'It is in the national interest for Romania to send a message of stability to financial markets,' he added. 'It is in the national interest to send a signal of openness and predictability to the investment environment.' Many observers viewed the election outcome as crucial to maintaining Romania's place within Western alliances, especially as the war continues in neighbouring Ukraine. At the same time, the continent scrambles to arm itself as the United States' commitment to European partners has waned under US President Donald Trump. As Mr Dan begins his mandate, he faces the immediate challenge of nominating a prime minister who can garner the support necessary to form a government, a tall order in a country where a rejection of the political class led to the emergence of figures like Mr Georgescu and Mr Simion. Mr Dan will also have to contend with a string of other crises, such as a large budget deficit, deep societal divisions exposed by the chaotic election cycle, and the war that drags on next door. Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says that forming a new cabinet will be 'a major test' that will indicate whether Mr Dan is capable of mediating between the fragmented political parties. 'Dan will face fierce resistance from the state apparatus and old politicians in his pursuit to start reforms,' he told The Associated Press. 'Although the economic crisis is urgent, the political and societal divisions are those that the new president has to address in the longer term.' He added that, with populism growing in popularity, a deeper political crisis was 'put on hold and a new one will be in the making' ahead of future elections. 'The success of his presidency will decide if we can avert such a crisis or not,' he said. A day after he won the presidency, Mr Dan had a call with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in which he declared Romania 'will remain a steadfast ally' within the alliance.
