Holiday islands are begging British tourists to visit due to canceled holidays

The Canary Islands have issued a plea to British holidaymakers, urging them not to cancel their trips, despite local protests over mass tourism. Tens of thousands of residents have expressed concern that the islands are being overwhelmed by the increasing number of tourists, as the holiday destination’s popularity continues to rise.

The Canary Islands, a group of seven Spanish-administered islands off the coast of northwest Africa including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, are known for their sunny weather all year round through, making them a favorite among British tourists.

Tourism is the lifeblood of the islands and provides approximately 40 percent of employment. However, the influx of visitors has led to tensions, with locals protesting against mass tourism due to its impact on the cost of living and house prices.

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Last year it was estimated that almost 14 million foreign tourists visited the Canary Islands, which have a population of around 2.2 million. Last week, at least 50,000 people called for a temporary limit on the number of tourists during a demonstration in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife.

The phrase CanariasTieneUneLimit, which translates to “the Canary Islands have a limit,” was prominently displayed on the protesters’ signs amid the dissent. But despite these protests, Jessica de Leon, head of regional tourism, assured that tourists would remain welcome on the islands. Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: “It is still safe to visit the Canary Islands, and we are happy to welcome you.”

While she understood the frustration, she said it was “unfair to blame tourism”. Echoing De Leon’s sentiments, Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo criticized some activists for showing “a touch of tourist phobia”.

He argued: “People who come here and spend their money should not be criticized or insulted. We are playing with our main source of income.” Responding to these comments, Gabriel Gonzalez, a Podemos party councilor in the Tenerife resort of Adeje, replied: “We feel that we do not live from tourism; it is tourism that lives from us.”

Nestor Marrero from the ecology group ATAN in Tenerife also advocated change, stating: “The number of tourists must be reduced. We must aim for higher quality visitors, not people in all-inclusive resorts who do not leave the hotel or do not interact with the local people and our culture in any way.”

According to statistics from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, as many as 33.8 percent of Canary Islands residents are at potential risk of poverty or social exclusion – a percentage surpassed by only one other region, Andalusia. “All the actions this government has taken are based on a review of this model,” Clavijo told the press earlier this week.

He noted: “The Canary Islands tourism model has been successful, but obviously, as with anything, there are things that can be perfected.”