Latest news with #Canarians
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Enough is enough!' chant raging anti-tourist protesters as thousands flood the streets in Canary Islands
A third wave of anti-tourist protests have hit the Canaries SPAIN'S FURY Enough is enough!' chant raging anti-tourist protesters as thousands flood the streets in Canary Islands THOUSANDS have flooded the streets of the popular Canary Islands in Spain's third wave of protests against overtourism this year. Locals across the Canaries say their home has been turned into a playground for tourists - as holidaymakers awkwardly watch from the sidelines. Advertisement 9 Thousands in the Canaries protested on Sunday Credit: Alamy 9 Protesters gather in front of the Sagrada Familia under the slogan - 'The Canary Islands have a limit' Credit: Getty 9 Protesters hold up the slogan - 'They want to take over my neighbourhood and make my grandma leave' Credit: Alamy 9 Thousands of people are known to attend these protests, often held in dozens of cities across Spain Demos have taken place today across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. In Santa Cruz alone, Tenerife's capital, around 7,000 people are estimated to be on the streets by Spanish security forces. In Gran Canaria, around 3,000 people are estimated to be present. The organisers, a group named "The Canary Islands have a limit", say the turnout has been "very high". Advertisement While no incidents have been reported since the marches began at 11am, police remain on the scene. Campaigners claim that despite previous protests, no changes have been made by the government. The slogan of the march has been: "The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended." Other banners read: "The Canary Islands have a limit and so does our patience" and "Enough is enough!" Advertisement Similar marches have also taken place today in other Spanish cities and in Berlin. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Locals are calling for three key measures: Tourist moratorium: A freeze on new hotel and holiday rental licences, especially in overcrowded areas, to ease pressure on resources and protect rural and coastal land. Ecotax: A tourist tax to fund public services and offset the environmental impact of mass tourism. Holiday rental regulation: Stricter controls on platforms like Airbnb and real estate speculation to keep housing affordable for residents. It comes as Spain's first mass anti-tourist protests of the year kicked off in April after thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets. According to the Canarian Trade Union Federation, the wealth generated by tourism should be distributed more fairly to improve the labour and wage rights of more than 170,000 tourism workers in the Canaries. Advertisement They also demand fairer distribution of tourism revenue to improve life for Canarians - boosting public services like healthcare, affordable housing and transport to fix the current road collapses. 9 Protesters in the streets Credit: Alamy 9 Protesters with the slogan - 'The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended' 9 Spain's widespread anti-tourism protests began in April 2024 Advertisement "The Canary Islands have a limit" movement argues the Canaries' current economic model is "based on touristification, speculation, inequality and infinite growth in a very limited land". The campaigners said that despite the "massive demonstrations", authorities have ignored their demands with "regressive" regulations, only "deepening the social, economic and environmental crisis". The movement has issued ten key demands, including halting destructive developments, imposing a tourist tax, enforcing a moratorium on new tourist projects, protecting natural areas and stopping sea pollution, among others. The campaigners they will continue protests throughout the summer and are planning boycotts and sit-ins. Advertisement 9 Up to 50,000 people are believed to have protested in Tenerife in April 2024 9
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Enough is enough!' chant raging anti-tourist protesters as thousands flood the streets in Canary Islands
THOUSANDS have flooded the streets of the popular Canary Islands in Spain's third wave of protests against overtourism this year. Locals across the Advertisement 9 Thousands in the Canaries protested on Sunday Credit: Alamy 9 Protesters gather in front of the Sagrada Familia under the slogan - 'The Canary Islands have a limit' Credit: Getty 9 Protesters hold up the slogan - 'They want to take over my neighbourhood and make my grandma leave' Credit: Alamy 9 Thousands of people are known to attend these protests, often held in dozens of cities across Spain In Santa Cruz alone, Tenerife's capital, around 7,000 people are estimated to be on the streets by Spanish security forces. In Gran Canaria, around 3,000 people are estimated to be present. The organisers, a group named "The Canary Islands have a limit", say the turnout has been "very high". Advertisement Read more on Spain While no incidents have been reported since the marches began at 11am, police remain on the scene. Campaigners claim that despite previous protests, no changes have been made by the government. The slogan of the march has been: "The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended." Other banners read: "The Canary Islands have a limit and so does our patience" and "Enough is enough!" Advertisement Most read in The Sun Live Blog Exclusive Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Locals are calling for three key measures: Tourist moratorium: A freeze on new hotel and holiday rental licences, especially in overcrowded areas, to ease pressure on resources and protect rural and coastal land. Ecotax: A tourist tax to fund public services and offset the environmental impact of mass tourism. Holiday rental regulation: Stricter controls on platforms like Airbnb and real estate speculation to keep housing affordable for residents. It comes as According to the Canarian Trade Union Federation, the wealth generated by tourism should be distributed more fairly to improve the labour and wage rights of more than 170,000 tourism workers in the Canaries. Advertisement They also demand fairer distribution of tourism revenue to improve life for Canarians - boosting public services like healthcare, affordable housing and transport to fix the current road collapses. 9 Protesters in the streets Credit: Alamy 9 Protesters with the slogan - 'The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended' 9 Spain's widespread anti-tourism protests began in April 2024 Advertisement "The Canary Islands have a limit" movement argues the Canaries' current economic model is "based on touristification, speculation, inequality and infinite growth in a very limited land". The campaigners said that despite the "massive demonstrations", authorities have ignored their demands with "regressive" regulations, only "deepening the social, economic and environmental crisis". The movement has issued ten key demands, including halting destructive developments, imposing a tourist tax, enforcing a moratorium on new tourist projects, protecting natural areas and stopping sea pollution, among others. The campaigners they will continue protests throughout the summer and are planning boycotts and sit-ins. Advertisement 9 Up to 50,000 people are believed to have protested in Tenerife in April 2024 9 What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Stunning Seaside Miami-style Canaries beach hotel offers sun, sand and 70s chic
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE literal translation of the name Maspalomas is 'Many Pigeons'. But there's no truth to the rumour this Gran Canarian tourist resort is twinned with Glasgow's St Enoch Square on a Saturday night or Pittodrie after an Aberdeen game. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 14 Maspalomas and its famous lighthouse Credit: Getty 14 Carnivals are frequent in Masplaomas Credit: Alamy 14 Marching band at the Maspalomas carnival on Gran Canaria Credit: Alamy This much-visited tourist getaway just off the coast of Africa means many different things to many different people. That thought crystallised as I watched thousands of native Canarians and tourists cavorting past on Grand Parade day of the Maspalomas International Carnival. Held in March each year, more than 100 brightly-decorated floats are packed full of revellers for the occasion. At some points the crowd of onlookers was five deep as a hallucinogenic cavalcade of Greek Gods, drag artists, and the odd bad taste Diego Maradona or Michael Jackson passed by. There was more lycra on show than the Tour de France — including a family of four who have bravely dressed from head to toe as The Incredibles. To be fair the whole thing is pretty incredible: an anything-goes affair which the whole community seems to enter into, like a cross between a Highland games and Eurovision. But if it's a quieter, slower, pace of holiday you're after then Maspalomas is just the place for you too. The Canary Islands are famed for their offer of sun all year round and Gran Canaria does what it says on the tin. My wife Mairi-Anne and I flew from Glasgow with Jet2 for a five-day break at the end of March. Cue five days of unbroken sunshine, with temperatures in the mid to high 20s and just the right amount of cooling breeze off the ocean. In other words, pretty much perfect. The UK's best beach bar – with DJ sets, sunset views and signature cocktails Our base for the duration was the stylish Seaside Palm Beach Hotel. Our base for the duration was the stylish Seaside Palm Beach Hotel. Nestling within a nature reserve and adjacent to the edge of Maspalomas' famous sprawling sand dunes, this 5* hotel dates back to the 1970s but is classic not dated. Designed by renowned Parisian architect Alberto Pinto, it's modelled on a classic Florida beach hotel and shaped in a striking elongated 'C' shape. There's 328 colour-coded, stylish rooms here, with balconies overlooking either the pools or the nature reserve. Talking of which, there's not one but three crystal clear pools, including a heated adult-only one near to the beautifully maintained — and thankfully shaded — outdoor gym and spa facilities. 14 The Seaside Palm Beach hotel is, as the name suggest, right on the beach Credit: Seaside Collection Hotel 14 Welcoming rooms are bright and spacious Credit: Seaside Collection Hotel 14 The gorgeous pools are surrounded by comfortable loungers and parasols There's also outdoor tennis, petanque, shuffleboard, even a dartboard. And it's all a safe distance from the kids pool which is discreetly located at the other side of the resort. But enough of all this exercise stuff. If all you desire is a sunbed to soak up some rays, simply give the pool boy a ring and he'll meticulously fold and arrange two towels on your bed. Then he'll hand you a third and maybe a fourth to make sure you can dry yourself. It's meticulous stuff but it doesn't feel obtrusive, and the personal touches are brilliant. Given the efficiency of the entire operation, it isn't a surprise to learn the owner is German, Theo Gerlach. 14 The hotel is next to the Natural Reserve of Maspalomas Dunes Credit: Getty - Contributor This is one of three hotels on the island owned by his Seaside Hotels group and he still spends much of the year here, often in its boutique sister hotel, the nearby Residencia. But you can forget the old mañana mentality, things run like clockwork here. Don't even think, for instance, about wearing short trousers to dinner. It's strictly verboten and you'll just be told to go back to your room and find something more appropriate to put on. We were half board, with the option to have lunch rather than dinner on days we fancy venturing out for the evening instead. Our visit coincided with my birthday and before I'd reached the splendid breakfast buffet that day I was given some impromptu birthday wishes, while a slice of sachertorte and a bottle of Cava winged its way to my room for when I got back. Now that's a touch of class! 14 Seaside Palm Beach Hotel, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Credit: Supplied 14 Seaside Palm Beach Hotel, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Credit: Seaside Collection Hotel 14 Stewart loved the food at the Seaside Palm Beach Credit: Supplied 14 La Bodega restaurant 14 Fabulous food is on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel While we're on the subject of food, meals tend to be served outdoors on the terrace — simply because that's what the guests want. But all the cakes, desserts and bakery products are kept indoors, away from any feather-friends. The main restaurant alternates between barbecue buffet and a la carte table service menu during the week. The biggest problem is that it's so good guests often decide it simply cannot be bettered by the two speciality restaurants on site, one tapas and one Italian. Three meals from the regular three-course menu which stick in my mind are the king prawn starter with grilled endives and potato and truffle foam, the beef consomme with truffle dumplings and the magret of duck with mashed chestnut, cabbage and mango. There are combinations you don't see every day and the volume of plates coming out the kitchen doesn't mean any compromise on quality. Put simply, it's a fabulous hotel and that's why so many of their guests are repeat customers. GO: GRAN CANARIA GO: SEASIDE PALM BEACH HOTEL GETTING/STAYING THERE: A week's bed and breakfast at the 5* Seaside Palm Beach is from £1,270pp leaving Glasgow on June 2. See or While we were among the younger guests — a novelty these days —- there's a regular schedule of evening entertainment in the retro-style lounge bar, with ABBA and Boney M tribute acts belting out numbers during our time there. But maybe you're after something a bit more rough and ready from your Canaries adventure so I'll give you an insight into the sights and sounds outside the hotel. Exit stage left, walk beyond the 'El Charco' natural lagoon and you'll hit the whopping 12km of sand dunes which is the Maspalomas Natural Dune Reserve. This is proper white sand, not the black volcanic stuff in Tenerife and it's populated with little beach bars. The whole area is so vast that specialist areas exist where nudists like to let it all hang out - while surfers ride the waves on the bend which joins Maspalomas with Playa del Ingles. 14 The area is dominated by massive sand dunes Credit: Alamy 14 Beautiful beach near Maspalomas dunes and Meloneras district. Credit: Getty Exit stage right and you'll hit the famous Maspalomas lighthouse and an area called Meloneras which used to be a quaint little market town but now has a fancy boulevard with beach clubs, designer shops and tapas bars. There's a bit of everything here, with special marks for a little Irish bar looking at the ocean called Paddy's Beach Bar. With a fully-seated capacity which must be all of 12, the star of the show was exiled Irishman Brian who played exceptional lead guitar licks and belted out the likes of Status Quo and Dire Straits while fending off some Norwegians who were dancing so enthusiastically they invaded his personal space. And just like pigeons, we're already 'homing in' on a return visit to the Seaside Palm Beach.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Major airline boss wades into Canary Islands anti-tourism debate amid protests
A major airline boss has waded in on the anti-tourism debate in the Canary Islands, warning that 'if politicians are not careful, they will put the tourism in the Canary Islands at risk'. At a tourism conference held by German-based travel media publication FVW Travel Talk in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, the commercial director of Condor Airlines Christian Lesjak reportedly spoke out on the growing anti-tourist sentiment on the Canary Islands. While about 50 tourism industry experts and German travel agents gathered for the conference at Hotel Mencey, demonstrations organised by the activist movement Canarias Tiene Un Límite (The Canary Islands Have a Limit) gathered outside to try and call for action what they describe as an unsustainable tourism model on the islands. Speaking to GeoTenerife, a science travel company, Mr Lesjak acknowledged that the protesters are legitimate in their concerns. 'We are interested in the cultural and ecological integrity of the island because it is a product that needs to be protected,' he stated, according to Canarian Weekly. When asked what he would tell those campaigning for limits on tourism, he encouraged them to "put pressure on politicians, who must take responsibility." GeoTenerife director Sharon Backhouse said she welcomed the remarks from the German-based airline boss, describing it as 'a significant move by a key industry player to support the voices of Canarians calling for change'. Ahead of the planned protest at the hotel, one group within the movement said on social media that 'mass tourism is destroying the Canary Islands. 'There is no limit and tourism continues to grow uncontrolled, leading the islands towards environmental and social collapse. 'We continue to swim in sewage and endure hours of traffic jams every day, while tourism continues to grow and these problems get worse. 'The coast, which belongs to everyone, continues to be destroyed to build hotels and housing estates for foreigners.' The group added that tourism does not generate wealth for the local population, nor is it helping with the protection of natural areas. 'Locals can no longer enjoy the special places on our islands without being surrounded by tourists,' they added. Protesters have been taking to the streets to try and call their government and industry authorities to take action against mass tourism. Thousands of people in Tenerife carried out a demonstration in April 2024, calling for a temporary limit on tourist arrivals to try and quell a boom in short-term holiday rental and hotel constructions. Holding placards reading 'people live here' and 'we don't want to see our island die', campaigners said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35 per cent of gross domestic product in the Canary Islands. Protests have continued since, with one demonstration in October held simultaneously in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro, calling for a change in the tourism model for the islands. In the Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, protesters appeared on the beach while tourists were sunbathing and chanted 'this beach is ours.'
The Independent
21-02-2025
- The Independent
Major airline boss wades into Canary Islands anti-tourism debate amid protests
A major airline boss has waded in on the anti- tourism debate in the Canary Islands, warning that 'if politicians are not careful, they will put the tourism in the Canary Islands at risk'. At a tourism conference held by German-based travel media publication FVW Travel Talk in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, the commercial director of Condor Airlines Christian Lesjak reportedly spoke out on the growing anti-tourist sentiment on the Canary Islands. While about 50 tourism industry experts and German travel agents gathered for the conference at Hotel Mencey, demonstrations organised by the activist movement Canarias Tiene Un Límite (The Canary Islands Have a Limit) gathered outside to try and call for action what they describe as an unsustainable tourism model on the islands. Speaking to GeoTenerife, a science travel company, Mr Lesjak acknowledged that the protesters are legitimate in their concerns. 'We are interested in the cultural and ecological integrity of the island because it is a product that needs to be protected,' he stated, according to Canarian Weekly. When asked what he would tell those campaigning for limits on tourism, he encouraged them to "put pressure on politicians, who must take responsibility." GeoTenerife director Sharon Backhouse said she welcomed the remarks from the German-based airline boss, describing it as 'a significant move by a key industry player to support the voices of Canarians calling for change'. Ahead of the planned protest at the hotel, one group within the movement said on social media that 'mass tourism is destroying the Canary Islands. 'There is no limit and tourism continues to grow uncontrolled, leading the islands towards environmental and social collapse. 'We continue to swim in sewage and endure hours of traffic jams every day, while tourism continues to grow and these problems get worse. 'The coast, which belongs to everyone, continues to be destroyed to build hotels and housing estates for foreigners.' The group added that tourism does not generate wealth for the local population, nor is it helping with the protection of natural areas. 'Locals can no longer enjoy the special places on our islands without being surrounded by tourists,' they added. Protesters have been taking to the streets to try and call their government and industry authorities to take action against mass tourism. Thousands of people in Tenerife carried out a demonstration in April 2024, calling for a temporary limit on tourist arrivals to try and quell a boom in short-term holiday rental and hotel constructions. Holding placards reading 'people live here' and 'we don't want to see our island die', campaigners said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35 per cent of gross domestic product in the Canary Islands. Protests have continued since, with one demonstration in October held simultaneously in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro, calling for a change in the tourism model for the islands. In the Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, protesters appeared on the beach while tourists were sunbathing and chanted 'this beach is ours.'
