Canary Islands warned that Brits will 'look elsewhere' amid growing tourist resentment
The Canary Islands have been issued a stark warning about the anti-tourism sentiment that's growing in the popular holiday hotspots. There has been protests on the islands by locals concerned about over-tourism on the islands, which are visited by millions of UK holidaymakers every year
But the head of Jet2 has told residents of Lanzarote and Tenerife to be careful what they wish for. Steve Heapy, the airline's CEO, has warned that fed-up Brits will look to go on their holidays elsewhere if they are made to feel "unwelcome".
And Mr Heapy said that the actions of the protestors "tarnish the region's image", reports the Express.
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He said: "Anti-tourism protests and derogatory comments from local administrations make tourists feel unwelcome. People don't come to the Canaries to be mistreated or to witness protests."
He claims that the protests will just push tourists to look at holidaying in other destinations, such as Turkey or Morrocco, where they will feel welcomed by locals.
He added: "Not everyone is rich, and many tourists simply want an affordable and relaxing holiday. If they feel unwanted, they’ll look elsewhere."
He also spoke about the town of Mogan on the Canary Islands, where a tourist tax has been introduced. A €0.15 (£0.13) per person per day fee applies for visitors staying in hotels, apartments, and holiday homes.
But Mr Heapy said that this tax could set a "dangerous precedent" and potentially deter tourists from visiting in the future.
He said: "Rising taxes drive up the overall cost of holidays, reducing demand. While Mogan’s tax is small, it sets a dangerous precedent. They should also work with airlines and tour operators to promote the Canary Islands in key markets like the UK."
His comments come after anti-tourism protests have been held in a number of holiday hotspots in Spain. Last year, one protest in Majorca saw approximately 10,000 people take to the streets.
In Barcelona, one incident went viral when campaigners started spraying tourists with water pistols while they were eating at a restaurant. And in In October, a huge 30,000 people took to the streets across the Canary Islands to protest.
Locals are concerned they are being priced out of the property market as Airbnbs and holiday rentals drive up costs. But tourism also accounts for 35 per cent of the Canary Islands' GDP, according to Statista.
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