Major warning for Irish holidaymakers in Spain as anti-tourist protests could hit popular airports
Irish holidaymakers travelling to popular
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The mass tourism has skyrocketed the prices of rents across the country
Credit: Alamy Live News
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Many hotspots in Europe are set to experience some anti-tourism protests
Credit: Alamy
Many residents in Spain,
They argue that the mass influx of tourists has skyrocketed the prices of rents and created a shortage of affordable
The urgent warning comes after many Irish holidaymakers are set to plan their sunny escapes abroad during the peak travel season.
Talking to the Mirror, protester Elena Boschi in
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She added: "Our cities and regions are not for sale and there is an urgent need to limit the growth of tourism, demand a change of course and decide on a path to tourism de-growth as a way out.".
SET European Network, an organisation of protest groups from 17 cities, islands and communities throughout Southern Europe, have teamed up to oppose what they call "predatory tourism".
They contend that this
It was revealed that over the past decade, the average cost of rents in
Most read in News Travel
Anti-tourism protesters wreaking havoc across Spain have teamed up with Extinction Rebellion AND Free Palestine
And the residential rental supply has decreased by half since the
At the same time, short-term holiday rentals have sprung up in popular beachfront and metropolitan locations, leaving regular Spanish families high and dry.
The protest comes after the mass protests that swept Spain last summer, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating across 40 cities over the mass tourism issues.
In Palma, over 50,000 residents took to the streets from May to July, brandishing placards bearing emphatic messages such as: '
In Barcelona, protesters fired water guns at restaurant diners and taped shut hotel exits while chanting slogans, spreading fear among tourists across the country.
However, earlier this month, the protest wave rose again in Madrid, witnessing over 150,000 protesters marching backed by the local tenants' union.
ACTION ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS
SET Network's own
Tourism is one of Spain's main sources of income for its economy, with over 94 million tourists visiting the country last year, including at least 17.5million from
As part of the protests, the local authorities nationwide have started to take action against short-term rentals.
Barcelona's city officials have committed to phasing out all 10,000 licences for short-term lets by 2028, which includes targeting listings on popular platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Protests are expected to begin on June 15.
They will be represented by activists from Santander, Genoa, Pamplona, Lisbon, Marseille, Milan, Naples, Palermo, the Pyrenees, Rimini, Valence, and Venice, as well as well-known Spanish hotspots like the Canary Islands, Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona, and San Sebastian.
However, demonstrations
will start in
on May 18 at 11am from the Plaza Weyler in the capital tourist hotspot of Santa Cruz.
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Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irishman's massive swimming challenge in World Record bid and fundraising effort
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Even so, the 26-year-old is battling more than just the painful whip of a lion's mane's tentacle; challenging weather and shifting currents also conspire to try to knock him off course. 'We always talked about Ireland in quarters. What we realised was the first quarter was probably going to be the most challenging,' he said. 'Starting off is hard, whatever you are doing. That's the stage when you haven't really put the miles in. 'But on top of that, the first quarter of the country is very tough, not just to swim, but to navigate a boat around the likes of Slyne Head in Galway and different places like Donegal Bay, that was the most challenging part.' Daragh Morgan swimming along the Irish coast Even more challenging than the jellyfish stings? 'We had a few tough night swims,' he said. 'One of the night swims, we were going around a place called Macehead, and that was quite challenging because it was one of the first swims, and the weather was tricky as well. 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Daragh Morgan on the Naomh Cronan Morgan, who works in sales for Innocent drinks, first came up with the idea of circumnavigating Ireland six years ago - and thoughts of achieving it 'just would not leave me.' He usually swims between one and two miles off the coast. 'We've seen great wildlife, a lot of dolphins, porpoises, lots of different diversity on the west coast. We've seen dolphins there by Skerries as well,' he says. 'No basking sharks or bigger mammals. I haven't seen any of them so far, but I can imagine there have been a few underneath me. 'We've seen a lot of seals as well. Sometimes when you are swimming you are in a flow. People have said to me from the boat, this and that was following you, and I didn't realise, because I was just in the zone. 'I know they are checking me out, but I am just firing away.' He couldn't undertake such a challenge without a support crew. 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The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
O2 hands out FREE speed upgrade in 22 locations across UK & it's already live in four holiday hotspots
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The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
One of the UK's most beautiful train journeys runs right across the beach and it costs less than £20
ONE of the UK's most scenic railway routes costs less than £20 to travel on all day. The Cambrian Coast Railway has previously been named one of the world's most beautiful train journeys. 4 One of the UK's most scenic train routes goes directly across a beach Credit: Alamy 4 The route runs from Aberystwyth to Pwllheli with a change at Machynlleth Credit: Alamy The line runs from Aberystwyth to Pwllheli (with a change at Machynlleth) and often running along the coastline. One of the most beautiful journeys is via Barmouth, where it runs along a bridge that goes directly over the beach or the ocean, depending on the tides. Also called the Mawddach Viaduct, it is the longest viaduct in Wales made from wood, and one of the oldest that is still in use. You can even walk across the bridge, although you will need to ask to get off at Morfa Mawffach. Barmouth is worth a visit itself, as it was named an up-and-coming seaside town. National Geographic said: "This is the sort of town that's full of visitors-turned-residents and it's that sense of pride and community that's powering its revival." It even has a secret beach that can only be visited by tunnel - here is how to find it. Other fun stops along the way include Pwllheli, where you can access popular surfing spots, as well as Fairbourne for sandy beaches. Otherwise popular attractions include the National Library of Wales, in Aberystwyth, or the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn. Make sure to stay on the train in the evenings as well, as it has some of the best sunsets too. I took a 1920s themed train journey with flapper-style singers and luxury dining Visit Wales writer Karen Willans said: "The train ride itself can be a day out, but there's also loads to do along the way. "There's plenty of wildlife to see as well – sea birds (including cormorants), dolphins, porpoises and various birds of prey live in the area." Tickets cost £9.50 for kids or £19 for adults, which includes unlimited travel for the entire day. These can be used after 9:30am in the week, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. Railcard discount cards can also be used, and tickets are accepted on some bus services as well. 4 Trains run as much as 12 times a day Credit: Alamy Around five trains run each way in the week between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, with 12 trains each way between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. These run every one or two hours. There are fewer trains on Sunday, with just three between the May and September season, or one out of this season. Here's the train journey which has been called the most beautiful in the UK. And there is a £5 scenic train journey where waves even crash again the windows.
