Brits urged to stay away from popular Spanish destination as they 'cannot take it anymore'

Wales Online

23-04-2025

Brits urged to stay away from popular Spanish destination as they 'cannot take it anymore'
The area has been rocked by anti-tourism protests as locals tell holidaymakers 'don't bother'
Spain remains a hugely popular destination with Brits going abroad
(Image: John Lamb via Getty Images )
After tourist numbers in Tenerife surged by two million last year, anti-tourism campaigners have made it clear they'll ramp up their efforts this summer. In 2024, Canary Islands residents began to protest en masse, with tens of thousands demanding change and arguing that the island chain was "reaching its limit".
Protest activities were initially concentrated away from tourist-dependent zones—such as Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz—and typically happened before peak travel seasons. The local government's apparent "lack of action" has since galvanised protesters to switch tactics. In October, they started targeting tourist favourites like Playa De Las Americas, frequented by holidaymakers, with the goal to influence policies to cap tourism and regulate second-home ownership.
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Despite striking an international chord previously, the protests didn't deter the influx of overseas visitors to the Canary Islands. Activist Ivan Cerdena Molina, who is part of the environmental group ATAN, voiced his disappointment regarding the continued growth in tourism, highlighting their previous mobilisations did little to abate the trend, reports the Express.
Protest activities were initially concentrated away from tourist-dependent zones—such as Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
"We had 16 million tourists [in the Canaries] in 2023 and 18 million in 2024," he said. "In 2025, the number is increasing again. The government didn't do anything; it just spoke nice words with no real action."
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Molina addressed the Brits eyeing a holiday in the Canaries with forthrightness. "The situation is really critical, no one who wants to enjoy holidays with peace would come to a collapsed and congested island, it's simple there are too many people everywhere," he said.
"Local people are really tired and angry, they are showing it. If we can ask something, it would be, please don't come, we cannot take it anymore."
He alongside his co-activists made it known they were orchestrating another substantial protest coinciding with the start of the high season at the tourist hotspots across the islands. An official statement was spread indicating the May 18 mobilisation by the alliance of groups branded as "the Canaries have a limit", wherein they declared an intensification of their campaign.
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"From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated. 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."
Marking May 18 as the commencement of such actions, they have also organised demonstrations on additional islands. "The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few," they added.
"We are the voice of those who reject false progress at the expense of widespread precarity. We are the Canarian people - a people who will not give up until we achieve the change we deserve.
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"On May 18, the fight continues in the streets. What comes next will be impossible to ignore."