Anti-tourism protests are ‘a big issue' for UK holidaymakers, travel boss warns
A growing number of UK holidaymakers are concerned about anti-tourism protests in Spain, a travel boss has warned.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of airline and tour operator Jet2, said there is a 'perception' among some people that overseas visitors are not welcome in the country.
Spanish residents in popular destinations have organised a number of demonstrations against tourism in recent years, with banners featuring messages such as 'tourists go home'.
The impact of tourism on rental rates is a common theme at the protests.
Speaking at an event at the Spanish embassy in London, Mr Heapy said: 'We've had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like 'is Spain safe', 'are we still welcome in the resort'.'
He went on: 'It is becoming a big issue unfortunately, and perception becomes truth.'
Mr Heapy said 'unlicensed tourism' – such as people staying in private accommodation listed on Airbnb – is 'causing a huge problem' and 'needs to be controlled'.
Issues such as uncertainty over visitor numbers, unpaid tourist taxes and properties that 'could be death traps' are among the issues, he said.
'Unfortunately there's been a massive explosion in unlicensed tourism properties.'
He went on: 'Airbnb can be controlled. They don't rule the world.
'They are an online platform that we can control and put legislation in place.'
Mr Heapy said if he was a politician he would introduce fines of 'a quarter of a million euros' for Airbnb hosts found not to have the required licences or tax records.
Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, insisted it is 'important to distinguish between specific local tensions and the broader national picture'.
He went on: 'The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists.
'Where protests have occurred – in cities such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Santa Cruz – concerns stem from broader societal issues: housing pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental strain in high-density areas.'
He added: 'Spain is taking concrete steps to address these issues – through legislation on short-term rentals, tourism taxes in certain regions, and more comprehensive destination management.'
Spain is the most popular overseas destination for people in the UK, with more than 18 million visits last year.
Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sanchez Grau said: 'We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors.
'It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
New EU rules mean Brits will now get LESS compensation if their flight is delayed
A CHANGE to a European travel rule will mean that Brits will get less compensation if their flight is delayed. Currently, legislation called EU261 means that European air passengers are entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed by over three hours or cancelled. 2 And despite leaving the European Union in 2020, the UK decided to adopt this regulation into law - meaning that British travellers benefit from the same rule as European travellers. The regulation however went under review in Brussels back in April and it has now been decided that the amount of time a flight is delayed by before getting compensation has increased. Currently, Brits can get compensation if their flight is delayed for three hours or more, for short-haul flights under 3,500km. However, the new rules mean this will be increased to four hours - so anything less than this won't be eligible for compensation. For longer flights (over 3,500km), airlines will now pay compensation if flights land at least six hours late - up from the current four-hour standard. And how much compensation can be given has changed as well. Under the new rules, €300 (£252.75) compensation will apply for delays of more than four hours, rather than €400. And €500 (£421.25) compensation will apply to delays of more than six hours involving flights of more than 3,500km, rather than €600. However, the agreement to extend delay times and cut compensation has been met with some opposition, including from Spain and Germany. Despite this, the Council bypassed discussions with the European Parliament and made its decision legally binding using a process that has not been used in more than a decade. Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions The European Parliament, however, can still make changes to the new rules. From now, it has four months to respond to the suggested new riles with a proposal that must be backed by a majority of 361 MEPS. If approved, the current EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation rules - where passengers can claim between €250 (£210.62) and €600 (£505.50) in compensation if a flight is delayed by at least three hours, if the delay is the fault of the airline - will be scrapped. Other compensation rules will remain unchanged. If the delay or cancellation is due to an 'extraordinary circumstance', compensation will not be paid. These circumstances usually include extreme weather, political instability, security risks or issues with air traffic control. Strikes are usually not considered to be extraordinary circumstances and the same with routine mechanical issues or staff shortages. Whilst this rule covers airlines that are registered in the EU or flights taking off from and EU or Schengen zone country, since Brexit the British government has pretty much copied the rules into UK legislation. This means, that if the new rules are also not opposed by European Parliament, it looks likely that the UK government would also enshrine it into legislation. This week, Brits have also been stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions. Plus, an urgent summer holiday warning has been issued, as thousands of Brits brace for worst flight delays in 25 YEARS. 2
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hull KR fans heading to Wembley face 'disruptions', union claims
A union has claimed there will be "severe disruption" for Hull rugby fans travelling via train to Challenge Cup Final with Hull Kingston Rovers facing Warrington Wolves takes place in London on drivers' union Aslef which has been involved in a long-running dispute with Hull Trains, said industrial action would force the operator to cancel Trains said that "minor alterations" were in place on Friday due to the industrial action with 80% of its services running. The union claimed a driver was unfairly dismissed for raising a safety concern, which the company Roebuck, Aslef's organiser in the north east of England, said: 'Aslef members don't take strike action lightly, and we fully understand the anger of passengers wishing to travel to the Challenge Cup final on Saturday at Wembley.'But angry fans should understand that this is a dispute entirely engineered by the company, not by us." A Hull Trains spokesperson said: "90% of our timetabled services on 7 June are planned to operate as normal, this includes our additional 08:57 direct service to London and the 20:27 direct service back to Hull."If fans are travelling to London today [Friday], 80% of our timetabled services are planned to operate as normal."Customers can find the latest travel information on our website and social media channels."Hull Trains also wished Hull KR "the best of luck" in the final. Excited fans Up to 20,000 Hull KR fans are expected to make the journey to the capital for the final. On Thursday, hundreds of fans gathered at Craven Park to give the players a send-off ahead of Saturday's who was in the crowd with his granddaughter said it felt "emotional" seeing the players embark on their trip to fan, Kayleigh Parker-Lines, who was with her children, said the club was a "huge part of our lives".Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Watch the moment sunbed wars take place at iconic hotel used to film ITV's Benidorm as Brits swarm the pool
A war over sunbeds is taking place at the hotel used to film the iconic ITV show Benidorm. Sun-seeking Brits have been spotted queueing for up to two hours at the Spanish hotel to get themselves the most sought-after sun loungers. 3 3 Sol Pelicano Ocas in Benidorm was transformed into the fictitious Solana Hotel for the 10 series of the fan-favourite TV show. And now, the hotel is at the heart of a sunbed standoff between tan-happy holidaymakers. Hotel guest Louise Smith couldn't believe her eyes when she spotted fellow tourists queueing up to snag the best tanning spots. And she was left completely flabbergasted when she spotted guests racing to the sun loungers as soon as the pool opened. As shown in the popular TV show, which stars the likes of Johnny Vegas and Steve Pemberton, the hotel has a huge pool area, with plenty of spots for sun loungers. However, some of the sun beds are better located than others, leaving Brits fighting over premium spots. Louise captured footage of the bizarre incident, which occurred at 9am on May 27, from her hotel balcony. 'Mick would definitely have a few choice words for them,' Louise told Luxury Travel Daily, referencing Pemberton's character in the show. 'I don't think any of the characters would approve. 'People started queuing from 7:30am. Fuming holidaymakers foil fellow Brits sneaky plans to secure sunbeds seven hours before hotel pool opens 'I think it's ridiculous. 'You go on holiday to relax, not to wake up super early to claim a sunbed.' Fellow hotel guests were also left astounded by the sun bed frenzy. Kelly-Ann Wass said: 'I've been here for a week and gone down at 10am and always managed to get a bed.' The Sun Travel team's holiday essentials WITH decades of experience and hundreds of countries under their belt, the Sun Travel team have shared some of the essential items they always pack on a trip. Here are some of the game-changing items we always pack - and some will barely cost you a thing. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel - Global travel plug with USB (£64) Caroline McGuire, Travel Editor - Hotel Slippers Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor - Pack of 40 earplugs (£40) Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor - 1 litre water bottle (£8.99) Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter - Bluetooth eye mask (£16.50) Giuli Graziano, Travel Writer - AirTag luggage location tracker (£29.99). Jay added: 'Wouldn't call that a relaxing holiday fighting for sunbeds.' Mo said: 'This is not a holiday to me, get up and having to queue everyday, no thanks.' The Sol Pelícanos Ocas has been approached for comment. And the famed Benidorm hotel isn't the only location that has been subject to sun bed wars. Tourists in Playa de la Americas have been branded "miserable" for waiting by the pool before sunbeds were even laid out. And one woman holidaying in Egypt revealed she was forced to get up at 6:30am to be in with a chance of snagging a sun bed.
