Latest news with #CEOE
North Wales Live
12-05-2025
- North Wales Live
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". 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."
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
Spain's tourism crisis deepens as Tenerife hotel bookings 'slump' amid local protests
Tenerife has seen a notable 'slump' in hotel bookings, as growing anti-tourist sentiment and planned demonstrations against international visitors continue to rock the Canary Island. There's growing concern on one of Spain's most popular holiday destinations due to a significant drop in hotel bookings. Last year, Tenerife attracted a whopping 6.2 million international visitors, drawn by its consistently warm weather, affordable alcohol, sandy beaches, and renowned water park. However, the influx was met with strong opposition from locals, who claim the surge in demand for holiday rentals is pricing them out of the property market. Additional worries about rowdy tourists damaging the island's national parks and causing traffic congestion have led to widespread protests across Spain, with disgruntled locals demanding that holidaymakers 'go home'. Earlier this year, The Mirror reported on Spain's grim warning to tourists ahead of the busy summer season, as activists pledged to ramp up their actions against sun-seeking Brits. This comes amid rising anti-tourist sentiment nationwide, which has even turned violent at times. In March, a chilling sign reading 'Kill A Tourist' was spotted in Tenerife. There were later reports of protesters going to extreme lengths to convey their message, including setting rental cars on fire. While tourists initially seemed unfazed by the escalating tensions at the start of the year, with 775,205 international visitors flocking to the Canary Islands in January - a 3.05-per cent increase from 2024, it seems holidaymakers are finally heeding the warnings. the Mirror. Pedro Aldonso, president of the CEOE business association in Tenerife, spoke about the recent industrial action during the Easter holidays and reportedly cautioned that 'every small collapse has an echo in trust'. He said: "When confidence falls, investment comes to a halt," he said, as he urged for a return to 'dialogue, trust, and common sense'. According to Canarian Weekly, the tourism chief added: "This is not about making headlines. It's about safeguarding jobs," suggesting that the slump could be swiftly rectified by a surge in 'last-minute' holiday bookings. Spain's deepening housing crisis and planned protests against tourism could benefit destinations like Turkey, which is anticipating a record-breaking number of visitors this year. As previously reported, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said the country was experiencing a tourist boom - especially amongst Russian, German, and UK holidaymakers. The politician added: "Turkey has become the country with the highest number of early reservations in Germany. "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." Protestors have even defaced hugely important heritage sites on the isle of Majorca. Police are seeking the individual or group responsible for spraying explicit messages on buildings visited every day by tourists. The graffiti, which is in Catalan but in English means "f***ing tourists" and "get out of our city" has appeared in an area of high monumental and cultural value in the Majorcan capital of Palma. One of the buildings attacked is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, which dates back to the 14th century, and is the official residence of the King and Queen during their stays in Majorca. Together with the Cathedral of Palma it is a landmark of the capital of the Balearic Islands.
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island tourism chaos as hotel bookings 'slump' ahead of 'bleak' summer
Following escalating anti-tourist sentiment, planned protests, and vows of a 'bleak' summer, it appears holidaymakers are ditching one of their favourite Spanish islands this summer Concern is rapidly growing in one of Spain's most popular islands following a notable 'slump' in hotel bookings. Last year, a staggering 6.2 million international visitors flocked to Tenerife - lured by its consistently balmy temperatures, cheap booze, sandy beaches, and world-famous water park. However, the influx was met with harsh resistance from fed-up locals, who argue they're being priced out of the property market thanks to the soaring demand for holiday rentals. Concern over rowdy tourists spoiling the island's national parks and clogging up the roads added to the furore, resulting in a slew of protests across Spain - with frustrated residents demanding holidaymakers 'go home'. Earlier this year, The Mirror reported Spain's 'bleak' promise to tourists ahead of the busy summer period, as activists vowed to 'intensify' their actions against sun-worshipping Brits. It follows escalating anti-tourist sentiment across the nation, which has even taken a violent turn. Back in March, a terrifying sign threatening to 'Kill A Tourist' was spotted in Tenerife. Reports later emerged that demonstrators had gone as far as setting fire to rental cars to get their stark message across. While tourists seemed undeterred by the rising tensions at the beginning of the year (with 775,205 international visitors heading to the Canary Islands in January - a 3.05 per cent increase from 2024) it appears holidaymakers are finally listening to demands. Now, tourism operators have reported a decrease in bookings on the island, particularly for the upcoming summer season. Speaking about recent industrial action during the Easter holidays, Pedro Aldonso, president of the CEOE business association in Tenerife, reportedly warned that 'every small collapse has an echo in trust'. "When confidence falls, investment comes to a halt," he said - urging for a return to 'dialogue, trust, and common sense'. According to Canarian Weekly, the tourism boss added: "This is not about making headlines. It's about safeguarding jobs," arguing the slump could be quickly resolved by a surge in 'last-minute' holiday bookings. Spain's worsening housing crisis and planned demonstrations against tourism could benefit under-appreciated destinations like Turkey, which is expecting to witness a record-breaking number of visitors this year. As previously reported, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said the country was welcoming a tourist boom - especially amongst Russian, German, and UK travellers. "Turkey has become the country with the highest number of early reservations in Germany," the politician added. "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."
Irish Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Blackout in Spain and Portugal: Why did the lights go out?
On Monday, the unthinkable happened: Spain and Portugal experienced an electricity blackout . Just after midday the lights went out , wifi went down, trains stopped, airports closed, ATMs froze and everyday life for millions of citizens ground to a halt. Both countries quickly ruled out the possibility that the outage was caused by a cyberattack . Human error was also discounted. Critics of Spain's ambitious green energy policy were quick to lay the blame on renewables. Nuclear power proponents suggested the outage was the inevitable result of moving away from nuclear. READ MORE Power started to be restored on Monday evening , and by Tuesday morning the Spanish government reported that more than 90 per cent of supply had returned, w ith a similar percentage restored in Portugal. By midday Red Eléctrica, the company that manages Spain's power grid, reported that supply was back to normal. The costs are now being counted; the CEOE employers' association estimating the economic cost at about €1.6 billion. Self-employed workers may have lost as much as €1.3 billion, according to the ATA workers' association. But what caused the blackout? And how is it possible that days later the authorities still don't know for sure? Contributor to The Irish Times Guy Hedgecoe was on a train in Madrid when the blackout began. He tells In the News what happened next and explores the reasons and reactions to the unprecedented outage that has shaken confidence in the energy supply. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.
Irish Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Spain and Portugal returning to normal after massive blackout
The day after a massive power blackout left Spain and Portugal at a standstill the electricity supply of both countries was restored, although transport and education remained disrupted, as authorities appeared to rule out the possibility that the outage was caused by a cyberattack. The blackout began shortly after midday on Monday, causing widespread chaos in both countries. Residential and office buildings were plunged into darkness, and businesses, shops and restaurants had to close, while transport, particularly rail and underground, was severely affected. Traffic light failures caused traffic gridlocks in many cities and mobile phone coverage was also down. Power started to be restored on Monday evening, and by Tuesday morning the Spanish government reported that more than 90 per cent of supply had returned, with a similar percentage restored in Portugal. READ MORE By midday Red Eléctrica, the company that manages Spain's power grid, reported that supply was back to normal. 'Spain, fortunately, and with plenty of caution, is overcoming the worst of the crisis and is heading calmly towards the recovery of its electricity supply,' said the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez. 'What Spain has shown in the last 24 hours, as well as speed in restoring the electricity system, is that it has admirable people.' However, as Mr Sánchez acknowledged, a large number of Spaniards were still affected on Tuesday, particularly travellers. Many passengers who were on or waiting for trains when the blackout hit had spent the night in railway stations or local sports halls. There were large crowds in Madrid's Atocha station throughout the morning as uncertainty over the rail service continued. The local rail service in the northeastern region of Catalonia was still severely disrupted throughout Tuesday and the Galician network was completely out of use. Many schools across Spain were closed, while others opened but did not give classes. After chaotic scenes at Lisbon airport on Monday, the situation there improved somewhat with the return of electricity. Meanwhile, the cost of the blackout started to become apparent, with the CEOE employers' association estimating the economic cost at about €1.6 billion. Self-employed workers may have lost as much as €1.3 billion, according to the ATA workers' association. As both Spain and Portugal recover from the crisis focus has turned to the possible cause of the blackout. The prime minister, who said that any private companies found to be culpable will be brought to account, said the government was not ruling out any hypothesis, but it did 'not have any conclusive information that it was a terrorist attack'. Red Eléctrica, the company that manages the Spanish power grid, more roundly ruled out an attack in a preliminary investigation, according to Eduardo Prieto, its head of service operations. He also ruled out human error and said that the blackout had been preceded by two anomalous episodes in the grid, in the space of 1.5 seconds, which had taken place in the southwest of the country, where there is a large amount of solar generation. Mr Prieto said 'the system was not able to manage this extreme turbulence and it led to zero tension [in the grid].' However, the national court has opened an investigation to find out if the outage was triggered by terrorist activity. As Spain recovered from the power blackout, the opposition criticised the government for what it said was a lack of information. 'The image of Spain in an electricity and telecommunications blackout is unseemly,' said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party, who suggested the government should have declared a national emergency.
