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Feng responds to the anger of Canary Islands tourists around the world

Vaseline

Last Saturday, more than 55,000 dissatisfied locals demonstrated on all seven major islands under the slogan ‘The Canary Islands have borders’.

But two major travel companies, Ving and TUI, think the ongoing protests in the Canary Islands will impact Swedish charter travelers, which is not true.

-We have not noticed any major concerns among our guests. There have been some questions from travelers booking future trips, but not many, says Claes Belvik of Ving.

Belvik continues that before last Saturday’s demonstrations, information was sent to travelers who were in the Canary Islands at the time.

-We sent text messages to all guests on site the day before to inform them of the planned demonstrations. We have briefly described what it is about, namely that there is dissatisfaction with the way in which tourism policy is being conducted.

Banners with clear messages could be seen on the streets and squares:

“This is not tourism, this is an invasion.”

“The Canary Islands have borders.”

“One in three houses in the Canary Islands is bought by foreigners. Where shall we live?”

“clear signal”

FING communications director Claes Bilwijk believes that the protests in the Canary Islands are not directly aimed at tourists.

– The criticism is largely about the policies being followed, because it is difficult for local residents to find affordable housing, local traffic is congested, etc. I can imagine that people are responding to that.

What do you say to travelers who contact you with questions about the situation in the Canary Islands?

– Our firm opinion, based on our staff on site, is that as a solo traveler you will receive the same good welcome as usual. But this is a clear signal to those in power that they want to see a change in tourism policy in the future.

The beach of Lanzarote.

Photo: natacontour/Shutterstock

“Follow the protests closely.”

TUI also did not notice any concern among the company’s passengers.

– We have of course been following these protests closely, but we have not received any significant feedback from people on the ground or guests who will go there in the future, says Adam Gjörke, director of Nordic communications at Tui.

Adam Gyorki also believes that they are different types of tourism, with charter companies engaging in controlled tourism determined by the number of hotel beds available.

– Controlled tourist swimming is a very positive force for the Canary Islands and the whole world. Then we have individual tourism where the apartments are used as holiday accommodation, which reduces housing for the local population. They are raising house prices, and that is not a good thing. Adam Gyorki says access to housing is crucial for locals.

Claes Bilvik, communications director at FING, does not believe that the ongoing protests will cause Swedes to choose the Canary Islands.

– I don’t see this trend, the love of the Swedes for the Canary Islands is very deep-rooted and I am convinced that the highest political system is high on the agenda, he says.

Read more: Warning from the Swedish Anne-Katrin: don’t come here

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