Latest news with #JessicadeLeón
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits 'happy not to visit' as Canary Islands overhauls tourism rules
The Canary Islands are a popular destination for British holidaymakers and bookings remain strong despite planned protests that will target tourism hotspots this season Some Brits have pledged to stay away from the Canary Islands ahead of mass protests and a radical overhaul of tourism laws. In recent years there have been growing demonstrations across Spain, with locals marching against the influx of tourists in the Canary Islands in particular. The island chain is only growing in popularity, despite many protests led by locals who say the Canaries cannot cope. In 2024, the Canary Islands saw a record 17.9 million visitors, a combination of international and domestic tourists. This included 15.5 million international tourists, a 10% increase from the previous year, and around 1.8 million domestic tourists from mainland Spain. This year activists - who argue that house prices are too high, roads too busy and the way of life being eroded by mass-tourism - have pledged to target popular tourist hotspots, disrupt public events and "confront political leaders". A fresh campaign is set to commence from May 18. "From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated," declared activist group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). "We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved. The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few." In a separate warning, the group said: "This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures." The backlash follows a 170,000-strong hotel and restaurant workers' strike across the islands just days ago. Locals criticised low wages and poor working conditions, despite the booming nature of the holiday industry. The Canary Islands local government has announced plans to tackle issues at the heart of the protests. Although it has not gone into specifics, Jessica de León, the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, has said the reforms would be sweeping. 'The new regulation must align with today's social and environmental realities, correcting outdated elements and integrating changes from national and regional rulings, including Constitutional Court decisions,' she said. A new legal framework is expected to roll out over the coming months. It will set tougher planning and building standards, tighten rules on holiday rentals, and introduce the regulation for campsites and outdoor tourism. This week de León said she was "completely in agreement" with a speech made by an opposition politician that the growing popularity of Morocco as a tourist destination was a threat to the Canaries. "We do not have 18 million tourists on the payroll, we have to earn every tourist that comes to the Canary Islands by hard work, we have built a leading tourism industry," de León said. She acknowledged that Morocco "is a rising competitor" and that, in addition, it is making an "obvious and notable increase in investment in tourism" with the roadmap set on the 2030 World Cup . Despite the protests that hit the islands last year and those which are planned for the months ahead, booking figures show that tourists are still keen to visit the Canaries. However, some individuals have told the Mirror that they are planning to stay away. One reader told us: "I am happy not to visit. Whilst I can understand their frustrations this will end up backfiring on the protesters. No tourists equals no jobs. Plenty of other places to visit." Another added: "I am perplexed when they say 'don't come anymore'. Who are 'they'? If people stop going to the Canaries, their whole economy will collapse. I really don't get how these places can survive without visitors?" Others expressed sympathy for the working people in the Canaries who have to put up with issues that stem from overtourism. One reader explained: "We are going to Lanzarote again next week. We love it there! However, I think the government licensing laws for holiday accommodation does not consider local people. "We live in Cornwall and have a similar problem. Local people can't afford to buy homes here due to second home owners and holiday let companies. Seasonal tourism is good for the economy, but the winter is dead so locals jobs are scarce. Whereas the Canaries can have all year round business. Us Brits can't guarantee sunshine even in the summer and love to escape to the places that can, just for a short while." Another sympathetic Brit added: "You have to feel some sympathy with the Islanders, they need tourism, but they need the right kind of tourism. All-inclusives kill the local economy, however at the same time they need to manage the costs charged and the amount of tourists that can be on the island at the same time."
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Canary Islands to tear up tourism rulebook & launch crackdown on Brits with new laws ahead of mass protests
BRITS heading to the sun-soaked Canary Islands this summer are in for a shock with furious locals plotting mass protests and the government ripping up its tourism rulebook. Holiday hotspots like Tenerife are bracing for a summer of unrest as residents rise up against what they claim is a 'predatory model' of tourism that's pushed locals to the brink. 7 Protesters march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism in Tenerife Credit: AFP 7 Demonstrations have been boiling up across Spain Credit: Alamy 7 People protesting against tourists in the Canary Islands Credit: EPA Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18 — right as peak holiday season begins. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' The movement — now spreading beyond Tenerife — insists it's no longer business as usual for tourism in the region. 'The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few,' the statement read. In a separate warning, the group said: 'This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures.' The backlash follows a 170,000-strong hotel and restaurant workers' strike across the islands just days ago, with locals slamming low wages and poor working conditions in the booming holiday industry. In June last year, beach workers also walked off the job over what unions called "precarious" conditions. As tensions boil over, the Canary Islands Government has now announced plans to completely overhaul its outdated 30-year-old tourism laws in a landmark reform effort. Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the regional government, said: 'We're doing this the Canary Islands way — extending a hand and listening to everyone.' Explore Tenerife with The Sun's Best of Beaches 7 The sweeping reforms aim to tackle everything from sky-high housing costs in tourist areas to crumbling infrastructure and overworked public services. Jessica de León, the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, stressed the need to protect residents' quality of life. 'The new regulation must align with today's social and environmental realities, correcting outdated elements and integrating changes from national and regional rulings, including Constitutional Court decisions,' she said. She also confirmed that changes would include defining tourism-heavy municipalities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades where they're most needed. The new legal framework is expected to roll out over the coming months. It will also set tougher planning and building standards, tighten rules on holiday rentals, and introduce the first regulation for campsites and outdoor tourism. Despite the chaos, unions have urged tourists not to cancel their holidays, insisting their anger is aimed at the system, not the sunseekers. 7 Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife in April 2024 Credit: Getty 7 Tourism policy in the Canary Islands has left little room for the local population, the protesters argue Credit: Getty But protests are set to escalate fast. On April 5, anti-tourism protests exploded across Spain, with furious demonstrators flooding over 40 cities — from Barcelona to Madrid — in one of the largest uprisings yet. Some activists even urged locals to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to keep them out of use. Protests followed on from a series of demonstrations last summer. Canary island beach workers also went on strike in June over precarious working conditions. Unions said they wanted to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike but asked them not to cancel their plans. They also said they didn't want tourists to change their image of the Canaries as a good holiday destination. In March, campaigners issued a chilling open letter to foreign visitors, telling them: 'ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. DO NOT COME.' 7 Millions of tourists, including many Brits, flock to Tenerife and other hotspots in the Canary Islands every summer Credit: Getty
The Sun
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Canary Islands to tear up tourism rulebook & launch crackdown on Brits with new laws ahead of mass protests
BRITS heading to the sun-soaked Canary Islands this summer are in for a shock with furious locals plotting mass protests and the government ripping up its tourism rulebook. Holiday hotspots like Tenerife are bracing for a summer of unrest as residents rise up against what they claim is a 'predatory model' of tourism that's pushed locals to the brink. 7 7 7 Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18 — right as peak holiday season begins. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' The movement — now spreading beyond Tenerife — insists it's no longer business as usual for tourism in the region. 'The Canary Islands can no longer be a postcard backdrop for the enjoyment of a privileged few,' the statement read. In a separate warning, the group said: 'This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures.' The backlash follows a 170,000-strong hotel and restaurant workers' strike across the islands just days ago, with locals slamming low wages and poor working conditions in the booming holiday industry. In June last year, beach workers also walked off the job over what unions called "precarious" conditions. As tensions boil over, the Canary Islands Government has now announced plans to completely overhaul its outdated 30-year-old tourism laws in a landmark reform effort. Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the regional government, said: 'We're doing this the Canary Islands way — extending a hand and listening to everyone.' 7 The sweeping reforms aim to tackle everything from sky-high housing costs in tourist areas to crumbling infrastructure and overworked public services. Jessica de León, the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, stressed the need to protect residents' quality of life. 'The new regulation must align with today's social and environmental realities, correcting outdated elements and integrating changes from national and regional rulings, including Constitutional Court decisions,' she said. She also confirmed that changes would include defining tourism-heavy municipalities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades where they're most needed. The new legal framework is expected to roll out over the coming months. It will also set tougher planning and building standards, tighten rules on holiday rentals, and introduce the first regulation for campsites and outdoor tourism. Despite the chaos, unions have urged tourists not to cancel their holidays, insisting their anger is aimed at the system, not the sunseekers. 7 7 But protests are set to escalate fast. On April 5, anti-tourism protests exploded across Spain, with furious demonstrators flooding over 40 cities — from Barcelona to Madrid — in one of the largest uprisings yet. Some activists even urged locals to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to keep them out of use. Protests followed on from a series of demonstrations last summer. Canary island beach workers also went on strike in June over precarious working conditions. Unions said they wanted to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike but asked them not to cancel their plans. They also said they didn't want tourists to change their image of the Canaries as a good holiday destination. In March, campaigners issued a chilling open letter to foreign visitors, telling them: 'ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. DO NOT COME.' Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures. Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities. Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable. They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer. Last April, thousands of people took to the streets in Tenerife to demand restrictions on holidaymakers after telling Brits to "go home". The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read 'You enjoy we suffer' in English. Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. The marches were organised under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit.' Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are 'very worried' by the anger growing amongst island residents but branded holiday homes in Spain a "virus". More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport reportedly approved an initiative to reintroduce a cap on cruise ships to Palma, Majorca's capital. Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Canary Islands to tear up tourism rulebook & launch crackdown on Brits with new laws ahead of mass protests
BRITS heading to the sun-soaked Canary Islands this summer are in for a shock with furious locals plotting mass protests and the government ripping up its tourism rulebook. Holiday hotspots like Tenerife are bracing for a summer of unrest as residents rise up against what they claim is a 'predatory model' of tourism that's pushed locals to the brink. 7 Protesters march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism in Tenerife Credit: AFP 7 Demonstrations have been boiling up across Spain Credit: Alamy 7 People protesting against tourists in the Canary Islands Credit: EPA Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18 — right as peak holiday season begins. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' The movement — now spreading beyond Tenerife — insists it's no longer business as usual for tourism in the region. Read more on Antitourism 'The In a separate warning, the group said: 'This cry, which reflects the feelings of a people tired of being ignored and mistreated, will be the beginning of a new stage of struggle: firmer, more direct, more uncomfortable for those who refuse to listen to us and take real measures.' The backlash follows In June last year, beach workers also walked off the job over what unions called "precarious" conditions. Most read in The Sun As tensions boil over, the Alfonso Cabello, spokesperson for the regional government, said: 'We're doing this the Canary Islands way — extending a hand and listening to everyone.' Explore Tenerife with The Sun's Best of Beaches 7 The sweeping reforms aim to tackle everything from sky-high housing costs in tourist areas to crumbling infrastructure and overworked public services. Jessica de León, the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, stressed the need to protect residents' quality of life. 'The new regulation must align with today's social and environmental realities, correcting outdated elements and integrating changes from national and regional rulings, including Constitutional Court decisions,' she said. She also confirmed that changes would include defining tourism-heavy municipalities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades where they're most needed. The new legal framework is expected to roll out over the coming months. It will also set tougher planning and building standards, tighten rules on holiday rentals, and introduce the first regulation for campsites and outdoor tourism. Despite the chaos, unions have urged tourists not to cancel their holidays, insisting their anger is aimed at the system, not the sunseekers. 7 Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife in April 2024 Credit: Getty 7 Tourism policy in the Canary Islands has left little room for the local population, the protesters argue Credit: Getty But protests are set to escalate fast. On April 5, Some activists even urged locals to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to keep them out of use. Protests followed on from a series of Unions said they wanted to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike but asked them not to cancel their plans. They also said they didn't want tourists to change their image of the Canaries as a good holiday destination. In March, 7 Millions of tourists, including many Brits, flock to Tenerife and other hotspots in the Canary Islands every summer Credit: Getty Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures. Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities. Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable. They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer. Last April, The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read 'You enjoy we suffer' in English. Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. The marches were organised under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit.' Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are 'very worried' by the More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.
