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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
UK tourists rage at 'inhuman' Brexit queues at airport in travel hotspot
An emergency meeting has been called among top Spanish politicians after British travellers found themselves trapped in two-hour queues and "inhuman" conditions at the start of the school holidays, before even making it through passport control. On Monday (May 26), around 500 UK holidaymakers found themselves stuck waiting on the tarmac at Tenerife South Airport for up to 45 minutes, before disembarking to find broken-down escalators and vast lines stretching in and out of the terminal to have their passports checked. At the airport, some travellers reported seeing four officials manning just two passport control booths. As a result, passengers were crammed into a situation described as "claustrophobic" and "third world," reports The Mirror. Lourdes Tourecillas, a local resident who was returning from Bristol, told Canarian Weekly: "Some parents lifted their children onto their shoulders to stop them from suffocating." "There were no toilets, and people were visibly distressed," she added. The President of Tenerife's ruling council, Rosa Dávila, has called an emergency meeting in light of the incident, with chaos and long queues becoming a common problem at the busy airport during peak tourism periods. Dávila called the situation "unacceptable", but blamed the situation on the continued failure to provide sufficient staff for border checks ever since the UK left the European Union. She added: "This is a structural issue. We can't continue to operate with the same staffing levels we had pre-Brexit." A major issue facing travellers on Monday was the inability of the airport's automated checking systems to process children's passports. This meant families having to queue with kids and baggage for hours in sweltering, lengthy, lines to kick off their holidays. The council's President said she had written to mainland politicians, but received no meaningful response. "There's a serious lack of respect towards Tenerife. We're managing essential services locally, but without state support, we're being left to fail," she said. Lope Afonso, Tenerife's Tourism Minister, warned: "This is the first impression our visitors get. After hours on a plane, they're met with long waits and no explanation. It's not acceptable, and it's hurting our brand as a quality tourist destination. "Tenerife competes globally. Other countries have adapted their systems since Brexit. Why haven't we?" He also had a warning for summer travellers if Spanish mainland politicians don't take action, saying: "We need immediate solutions to avoid this happening again, especially with the busy summer season ahead."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
'Inhuman' queues at Spanish airport force officials into emergency meeting
Tenerife's President has called for an emergency meeting after 'inhuman' queues at the Spanish airport left Brits and other tourists waiting for two hours in a 'third world' situation. Top Spanish officials have urgently convened following a debacle that saw British holidaymakers caught in two-hour queues and facing "inhuman" conditions at the onset of the school holidays, all before they could even pass through passport control. On Monday (May 26), approximately 500 UK tourists were left stranded on the tarmac at Tenerife South Airport for as long as 45 minutes. Upon disembarking, they were greeted by out-of-service escalators and extensive queues snaking through the terminal for passport inspection. Inside the airport, reports emerged of only four officials operating a mere two passport booths, leading to overcrowded conditions that passengers labelled as "claustrophobic" and reminiscent of "third world" standards. Lourdes Tourecillas, a local returning from Bristol, recounted to Canarian Weekly the dire situation: "Some parents lifted their children onto their shoulders to stop them from suffocating," she said, also noting the absence of toilets and visible distress among the people. Rosa Dávila, President of Tenerife's governing council, has responded to the incident with an emergency meeting, as such chaos and lengthy queues have become all too familiar scenes at this bustling hub during high tourist seasons, reports the Mirror. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Dávila has deemed the circumstances "unacceptable" but pointed to the ongoing issue of inadequate staffing for border controls since Britain's departure from the European Union as the root cause. She added: "This is a structural issue. We can't continue to operate with the same staffing levels we had pre-Brexit." Monday posed a significant challenge for travellers as the airport's automated checking systems failed to process children's passports effectively. Consequently, families were subjected to long queues in the sweltering heat, with their children and luggage in tow, creating a stressful start to their holidays. The council's President expressed her frustration after reaching out to mainland politicians and getting no substantial reply. "There's a serious lack of respect towards Tenerife. We're managing essential services locally, but without state support, we're being left to fail," she stated. Lope Afonso, Tenerife's Tourism Minister, conveyed his concerns regarding the negative impact on the island's tourism image. "This is the first impression our visitors get. After hours on a plane, they're met with long waits and no explanation. It's not acceptable, and it's hurting our brand as a quality tourist destination," he remarked. "Tenerife competes globally. Other countries have adapted their systems since Brexit. Why haven't we?". A warning was also issued by him for future holiday goers, especially in anticipation of the forthcoming summer rush, underlining the urgency of the situation. "We need immediate solutions to avoid this happening again, especially with the busy summer season ahead," he cautioned.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Spanish officials face emergency after Brits experience 'inhumane' queues
Hundreds of British holidaymakers found themselves trapped in 'inhumane conditions' at a packed Spanish airport with just two booths open to check their passports An emergency meeting has been called among top Spanish politicians after British travellers found themselves trapped in two-hour queues and "inhuman" conditions at the start of the school holidays, before even making it through passport control. On Monday (May 26), around 500 UK holidaymakers found themselves stuck waiting on the tarmac at Tenerife South Airport for up to 45 minutes, before disembarking to find broken-down escalators and vast lines stretching in and out of the terminal to have their passports checked. At the airport, some travellers reported seeing four officials manning just two passport control booths. As a result, passengers were crammed into a situation described as "claustrophobic" and "third world". Lourdes Tourecillas, a local resident who was returning from Bristol, told Canarian Weekly that, "Some parents lifted their children onto their shoulders to stop them from suffocating," adding, "there were no toilets, and people were visibly distressed.' The President of Tenerife's ruling council, Rosa Dávila, has called an emergency meeting in light of the incident, with chaos and long queues becoming a common problem at the busy airport during peak tourism periods. Dávila called the situation "unacceptable" but blamed the situation on the continued failure to provide sufficient staff for border checks ever since the UK left the European Union. She added: 'This is a structural issue. We can't continue to operate with the same staffing levels we had pre-Brexit." A major issue facing travellers on Monday was the inability of the airport's automated checking systems to process children's passports. This meant families having to queue with kids and baggage for hours in sweltering, lengthy, lines to kick off their holidays. The council's President said she had written to mainland politicians, but received no meaningful response. "There's a serious lack of respect towards Tenerife. We're managing essential services locally, but without state support, we're being left to fail,' she said. Lope Afonso, Tenerife's Tourism Minister, warned: 'This is the first impression our visitors get. After hours on a plane, they're met with long waits and no explanation. It's not acceptable, and it's hurting our brand as a quality tourist destination,' he said. 'Tenerife competes globally. Other countries have adapted their systems since Brexit. Why haven't we?' He also had a warning for summer travellers, if mainland politicians don't take action, saying: "We need immediate solutions to avoid this happening again, especially with the busy summer season ahead."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Canary Islands holiday fears latest with ‘not a free bar' tourist alert amid ‘severe' 3-hotspot accommodation issue
THE President of the Canary Islands has insisted that his government welcomes holidaymakers but warned: "We are not a free bar." Punters heading for Spain face another summer of chaos as an 7 Holidaymakers cowered in hotel rooms and awkwardly watched from the sidelines as residents kicked off anti-tourism demonstrations Credit: Alamy Live News 7 Hostile messages against foreigners and tourists written on public walls are on the rise Credit: Canarian Weekly 7 Fears are growing that the movement could become more hateful Credit: Getty Images - Getty 7 Canarian Islands president Fernando Clavijo has insisted the government is not against tourism Credit: Getty Thousands across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura , with around 23,000 chanting: "The Canaries has a limit." Lanzarote locals Canarian Coalition leader Fernando Clavijo yesterday said that while his government welcomes tourists, uncontrolled numbers won't be allowed enter the islands at the expense of locals and the environment. READ MORE IN HOLIDAY PROTESTS He said: "We will never be against tourism." But he warned that the islands must be protected so that "our children and grandchildren can live here". He continued: "We are firmly in favour of the Canary Islands and fair working conditions. "Of the €25billion that the tourism sector brings in, the more that stays here, the better." Most read in News Travel He said the Canary Islands government "rolls out the red carpet" for people who wants to invest in the area and generate wealth, but their job is to ensure "this wealth is distributed fairly". Despite pushback on tourism from officials and locals alike, Irish bars in Lanzarote claim Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces 'long hot summer' of protest carnage Rebecca Flanagan, from Nelly's Irish Bar in the Old Town of Puerto del Carmen, said there is "definitely no decrease in Irish tourists" since the She told The Irish Sun: "The Canarian people are not protesting against tourism, they are protesting because a lot of tourists have bought up the homes on the island as holiday homes, which has increased the price of accommodation. "We are all short staffed because of the lack of long term rentals, a lot of these holiday lets have no licence, so no tax is being paid." Rebecca said around 85 per cent of people on the island of However, many have been left frustrated and feel hard done by as they can no longer afford high rents and house prices. She said: "They love the tourist industry but are just frustrated that they can't afford to own a house and their children will definitely not be able to afford a house. "I have two children who were born here, 18 and 16, they will both be leaving the island to go to mainland Spain to study and they will probably never be able to afford a property here." More than one million foreign tourists visit the Canary Islands each month, compared to a local population of 2.2 million, according to official data. And Spain, which had a record number of tourist arrivals in 2024, expects even more visitors this year. When it comes to running a business in the Canary Islands, Rebecca said there has been little difference in their trade. She said: "As far as the business goes we are lucky, we are doing well with a good repeat trade so the demonstrations haven't affected us." STRIKE CHAOS Hotel workers in the Balearic islands are also And amid the unrest over tourism numbers, new Airbnb rules are due to kick in in Spain after latest figures showed that the average cost of rent has doubled, with property prices increasing by a staggering 44 per cent over the past decade. The country is calling for the removal of thousands of holiday listings from the A n estimated 65,935 Airbnb not including their license number, not specifying if the owner was an individual or a Locals have been arguing that the rise in Airbnb and holiday lets was adding to the She explained: "The impact will be most severe in tourist hotspots like "Many unlicensed properties will disappear from platforms, while remaining listings will face stricter regulations and registration requirements. "Tourists will need to adapt to this new, more regulated market." If you have already booked an Airbnb for the And it may also lead to price hikes in ANOTHER BLOW Spain is also slapping a new 21 per cent VAT on short term rentals, which is more than double the current rate for hotels at 10 per cent. This introduction will discourage short term rentals for less than 30 days, prioritising long-term residential stability for locals in the hopes of fixing the housing crisis in the country. Holidaymakers earlier this month cowered in hotel rooms and awkwardly watched from the sidelines as Dozens of armed officers from the National Sunseekers were 7 'Tourists Go Home' slogans across the south of Tenerife Credit: Canarian Weekly 7 Around 50 people gather in front of the Sagrada Familia under the slogan "Canarias tiene un limite" ("The Canary Islands have a limit") in Barcelona, Spain on May 18 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 7 Thousands of locals march along the seafront overlooking the city beach in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria Credit: Alamy Live News
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major alert as Irish holidaymakers urged to ‘cancel' trips to Spain amid anti-tourist protest fears
A MAJOR alert has been issued to Irish holiday makers amid ongoing anti-tourist protests in Spain. The 5 Protests have been growing more frequent across mainland Spain and the Canary Island Credit: Getty Images 5 Further protests will see hotspots blocked Credit: Getty Images 5 Tourists are even cancelling their trips over protest fears Credit: Canarian Weekly Locals are taking action against rising costs of residential accommodation and falling levels of availability. Figures reveal the average cost of rents in The availability of residential lets in many of these areas has also fallen, adding fuel to the fire. Protests over the past year have already seen READ MORE IN TRAVEL Separate And further action is planned this month, next month and in to the summer. New protest action throughout June will see protestors will block access to famous attractions such as the Sagrada Familia. Similar events will take place across the Most read in News Travel It is understood demonstrations at airports are also planned and protesters will blockade buses carrying tourists. And now Steve Heapy, chief at Jet2, has warned Irish holiday makers are considering cancelling their trips. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks The airline boss has said the ongoing protests are becoming "increasingly vocal." He said: "Protesters are becoming increasingly vocal, and that's making some people question whether now is the right time to go." And tourists have been taking to One person said: "If it were me, I'd see if I could go somewhere else. "A holiday is a time of relaxation, time with the family, having to worry about the locals reaction and protest would spoil your enjoyment." Another added: "We had a holiday booked to Ibiza but changed it to Greece. The people in Greece are so welcoming. "We used to enjoy Spain but won't go where we're not wanted." 'BE PREPARED' The Department of Forgein affairs have issued advice for Irish tourists who do plan on visiting Spain over the summer. The warn Irish abroad not to engage in protests and follow the advice of officials. In the alert the DFA say: "Public gatherings and demonstrations can at times take place with little or no warning. "We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities. "Protests may cause disruption to transport and other services. "Be prepared to adjust your travel plans at short notice if necessary, and allow yourself extra time for your journey. "You should also check for travel updates or transport delays before and during your trip to Spain." 5 Protesters have made their stance clear Credit: Getty Images 5 Rising costs and hospitality salaries have been at the centre of recent protests Credit: CanarianWeekly
