Canary Islanders tell Brits to go home.

I haven't heard.

Our friends are there at the moment.

So - what will be the source of income for Canarians if tourism dries up?

Tourism is approximately 35-40% of Canary Islands GDP, (depending on where you look)

I see they are complaining about tourists drinking cheap booze, tourists do not dictate the prices, those selling do.

Not quite as your headline suggests, lemsip 🤔

They are seeking a commitment from regional politicians to change the tourist model and protect islands like Tenerife from the worst excesses of mass tourism, including sea pollution, traffic gridlock and lack of cheap affordable housing linked to the pushing-up of property prices because of Airbnb-style holiday lets.

Other demands include the protection of natural spaces, a tourist tax and better working conditions for hotel cleaners, who joined today's protest in Santa Cruz as they insisted to local press: 'We are not slaves.'

They want their government to stop over-development and to promote more eco-tourism.
They are asking employers to share more of the profits of tourism and increase wages.

Callistemon21

Not quite as your headline suggests, lemsip 🤔

They are seeking a commitment from regional politicians to change the tourist model and protect islands like Tenerife from the worst excesses of mass tourism, including sea pollution, traffic gridlock and lack of cheap affordable housing linked to the pushing-up of property prices because of Airbnb-style holiday lets.

Other demands include the protection of natural spaces, a tourist tax and better working conditions for hotel cleaners, who joined today's protest in Santa Cruz as they insisted to local press: 'We are not slaves.'

They want their government to stop over-development and to promote more eco-tourism.
They are asking employers to share more of the profits of tourism and increase wages.

and I hope they succeed...

This

There were lots of anti tourist placards and posters in Barcelona when I was there last year Lots of complaining that the houses are all being bought to turn into AB&B s and rendering the locals unable to buy any
They have a point

Another problem is apparently TikTockers who find a secluded beach (that up until now only locals used) and then post it online. Then the quiet beaches get overwhelmed by large numbers of idiots damaging the environment and leaving rubbish everywhere.

The same is happening in North Wales (and probably all over the world) with young vandals visiting formerly secluded sites and causing damage.

I can't see an answer to this because social media is not going away and there are too many young people who seem to have no respect for the natural world.

Callistemon21

I haven't heard.

Our friends are there at the moment.

So - what will be the source of income for Canarians if tourism dries up?

They haven’t thought that one through yet 🤦🏼‍♀️
We have spent many many winters in Spain: we often referred to this thinking as The Mediterranean Brain.

We once tried to educate the owner of an ( empty ) campsite that his prices were too high. He just couldn’t grasp that if he dropped his prices he would probably be full.
He kept repeating that he couldn’t afford to.
We kept pointing out to him that his site was empty.
Too much sun exposure 😂

Biting the hand that feeds them comes to mind.

We have comparable issues here in Orkney -
Just over 20,000 people live on Orkney, yet every year, 192,000 people visit it. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1855132/beautiful-orkney-islands-cruise-ships-spt ..... but less sunshine....! Currently there is a hoohah about the lack of toilets at the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones - with visitors "turning the area into an open sewer" ...... On occasion there have been as many as 3-5 cruise ships visiting the 2 ports, including the occasional multi - storey.... and, rumor has it.... they spend little cash on the island as selected crafts people are allocated stalls in a hangar on the pier where they dock and most passengers rush back to the vessel for the inclusive meals....including some close friends of ours.... and we have insufficient housing for workers who apply for essential posts here...because of holiday lets and Air BnB. I was horrified to see rows of visitors laughing and shouting while photographing/video-ing the famous cathedral as mourners stood in silence with bowed heads as their loved one's coffin was carried to the hearse....We are considering moving.

That's really sad seadragon. Many people today have no respect for others or for the environment. Hence all the rubbish dumped in beauty spots, and graffiti and vandalism on ancient monuments. I can perfectly understand why the Canary people and everyone else living in holiday spots want to stop all this. They have to find a way to get 'better class' tourists but I'm not sure that is even possible in this day and age. What used to be considered common behaviour is just normal behaviour now.

I think a lot of hotels are all inclusive on the Canary Islands meaning not much money going into local economy so I do see their point. Doubt many will agree with me but second homes in beautiful areas are means little chance for locals to buy, I think they should stop any more second homes and the ones they have already should be heavily taxed, I wish they could be taken off them and given what they originally paid , why should hard working locals have no chance of living by family These second homes are usually only used a few weeks a year. Have organised park homes or caravans to buy, renting the plot to be renewed every 10 years.
Sea dragon, I’m so sorry for the behaviour of the passengers of these cruise ships, can’t you refuse to have them descending on you. One ship at a time and they should pay for the privilege.

I can think of one or two towns in the UK that “tourists go home” is heard, usually because of traffic congestion.
However since Covid numbers have not recovered and it’s all quiet for now.

It's not new either.
I can remember the 1970s when cottages in Wales owned by English people as 2nd homes were being burned down.
We were holidaying there, staying in a B&B (not an airbnb) when a cottage nearby was set alight.

I have never wanted a second home even if it was affordable .

Maybe they will duck out. 😂😂😂

Mamie

Maybe they will duck out. 😂😂😂

Haha!

Oh that’s awful Seadragon and although I ve been to the Canaries on a few occasions and enjoyed it I agree with you Allsorts the locals should come first in housing
These super liners are a blooming menace in my opinion (I can’t think of anything worse for a holiday )

Doubt many will agree with me but second homes in beautiful areas are means little chance for locals to buy, I think they should stop any more second homes and the ones they have already should be heavily taxed, I wish they could be taken off them and given what they originally paid , why should hard working locals have no chance of living by family These second homes are usually only used a few weeks a year

Allsorts here’s one who definitely does agree with you. These second homes / Airb&b etc have decimated some village communities for the locals. IMO, second home ownership is immoral in a country where many young people find it impossible to buy their first home.

Callistemon21
Not quite as your headline suggests, lemsip

.....................................................................

why don't you just read the link if you don't like the headline f g sake? I'm creating conversation!

Ooh, no need for such aggression!

I remember another poster, who has been missing lately, who always condemned 'Brits' and their behaviour overseas.

I did read the link, that's when I found out the headline was a tad disingenuous.

BlueBelle

There were lots of anti tourist placards and posters in Barcelona when I was there last year Lots of complaining that the houses are all being bought to turn into AB&B s and rendering the locals unable to buy any
They have a point

Just like Cornwall!

Grammaretto

It's not new either.
I can remember the 1970s when cottages in Wales owned by English people as 2nd homes were being burned down.
We were holidaying there, staying in a B&B (not an airbnb) when a cottage nearby was set alight.

I have never wanted a second home even if it was affordable .

Friends bought a cottage in Wales; there was absolutely no interest from locals in buying it. It was in an isolated position, dilapidated so they and another couple bought our, did it up sympathetically and spent holidays there. They shopped locally when they visited.
Had they not bought it, it might well have become a ruin.

However, I do know the problems that exist in areas where holiday homes are only inhabited for a few weeks, people from London come with their boot full of food and wine and do nothing to help the local economy. Instead they price locals out of the area.

This is exactly where the Canaries are now.
Call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ETN21RZwwI

Where next?