UK tourists in Tenerife warned 'resources are scarce' and 'Spain don't care'

April 20 will see Tenerife locals protest over an influx of British holidaymakers across the Canary Islands - sparking poor access to accommodation and decreased living standards.

Tenerife protesters have listed their main gripes with UK tourists ahead of planned protests next Saturday. April 20 will see Tenerife locals protest over an influx of British holidaymakers across the Canary Islands - sparking poor access to accommodation and decreased living standards.

The Tenerife ‘Friends of Nature’ Association (ATAN), one of the groups organising a protest against mass tourism, told the Daily Express: "Pressure on scarce natural resources in island territories such as water and geological materials for construction.

"Environmental degradation, especially associated with the development of tourist infrastructures and the tourist exploitation of protected natural areas and the coastline of the islands. Loss of biodiversity associated with the destruction of habitats to build tourist infrastructures and the urban development linked to this model."

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"Major economic dependence on a tourist industry that leaves little profit on the island as it is entirely in the hands of tour operators," they added. ATAN said: "Increase in the price for the purchase of housing or for rentals that are not within the reach of the local population and proliferation of holiday homes with the consequent displacement of the local population."

Coello Bravo, director of the Fundación Telesforo Bravo, told the website: "The increase in the number of tourists buying or renting properties in the islands is driving up prices in the property market, so local residents with lower salaries have nowhere to live."

Recent figures show around 13.9 million tourists visited the Canary Islands in 2023 which is up 13 per cent on the year before and compares to the 2.2 million who live on the islands. The majority of tourists visit from Germany and the UK.

Responding to the warning online, a Brit said: "Looks like the Spanish government do not care ...they want the money. Would be no problem to put a cap on development and numbers as well as a hefty tourist tax. No doubt the locals are benefiting from all of this money coming in and they all benefit from the rise in house prices !"

Another said: "It is not enough sometimes to have the most perfect climate in the world ! Personally I would like to see less flights but then they would moan that they are not making a living . It is horses for courses and involves a balanced approach."