Canary Islands expecting bleak summer amid violence warnings
A significant drop in hotel reservations this summer is sparking concern in the Canary Islands. Last year, 6.2 million international tourists were drawn to Tenerife - attracted by its consistently warm weather, affordable alcohol, sandy beaches, and renowned water park.
But the influx was met with strong opposition from disgruntled locals. They claim they're being pushed out of the housing market due to the skyrocketing demand for holiday rentals.
There are also worries about boisterous tourists ruining the island's national parks and congesting the roads. A series of protests erupted across Spain with exasperated residents telling holidaymakers to "go home". Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
Earlier this year, The Mirror reported on Spain's "grim" pledge to tourists ahead of the bustling summer season, as activists promised to escalate their actions against sun-seeking Brits. This follows a growing anti-tourist sentiment throughout the country, which has even turned violent.
In March, a chilling sign threatening to "Kill A Tourist" was seen in Tenerife. Reports later surfaced that protesters had gone to the extreme of setting rental cars ablaze to convey their stark message, reports the Mirror.
But despite a strong start to the year with 775,205 international visitors flocking to the Canary Islands in January, marking a 3.05 per cent increase from 2024, it seems that holidaymakers are now heeding warnings as tourism operators report a downturn in bookings for the upcoming summer season.
During the Easter holidays, amid industrial action, Pedro Aldonso, president of the CEOE business association in Tenerife, reportedly highlighted the fragility of the industry, saying "every small collapse has an echo in trust". He emphasised the importance of confidence, stating: "When confidence falls, investment comes to a halt," and called for a return to "dialogue, trust, and common sense".
The Canarian Weekly quoted the tourism chief as saying: "This is not about making headlines. It's about safeguarding jobs," suggesting that the current dip could be swiftly countered by a rise in "last-minute" holiday reservations.
Spain's deepening housing crisis and upcoming protests against tourism may inadvertently boost lesser-known destinations such as Turkey, which anticipates a record influx of tourists this year. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy previously announced that Turkey is experiencing a surge in visitors, particularly from Russia, Germany, and the UK.
And the politician highlighted Turkey's popularity, stating: "Turkey has become the country with the highest number of early reservations in Germany."
He set ambitious targets: "We aim to welcome over seven million visitors from both Russia and Germany this year. Additionally, we expect 4.8 million visitors from the UK in 2025."
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