Huge anti-tourism protest sees locals storm seaside as Brit holidaymakers cower

Hundreds of anti-tourism protesters left holidaymakers cowering in their towels as they stormed a beach in Tenerife.

Sun-seekers on Troya Beach were stunned to be disrupted by a placard-waving mob yelling slogans like ‘more tourists, more misery’ and ‘the Canary Islands are not for sale.’ It follows a summer of major demonstrations across Spain’s popular resorts.

Further protests across the Canary Islands yesterday (October 20) saw activists beating drums and chanting as they surrounded groups of swimwear-clad tourists.

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Commenting on footage of the protests shared online, Tenerife hotel worker Oliver Alayon said: “Seeing things like this makes me feel ashamed. It’s not the tourists who come here on holiday that are to blame. It’s the fault of those who wear suits and a tie.”

Carlos Diaz added: “The Canarians’ destiny is to destroy everything that puts food on his plate. I hope the demonstrators have a plan.”

The beach protest started soon after a midday march held by campaigners at the nearby Metropolis shopping centre. Locals were heard shouting “No hay camas pa’ tanto guiri” – which translates to “There’s not enough beds for so many foreigners.”

One woman was carrying a placard which said: “Tourists, go f*****g home.” Other posters read: “Enjoying a day at your pool? That water could be going on food” and “Macrotourism destroys Canary Islands.”

Government officials later said “at least” 8,000 people took part in yesterday’s demos across the Canary Islands. But the organisers claimed the number was much higher, with 7,000 taking to the streets in Gran Canaria alone.

Initial reports suggested 2,000 people joined the march in Tenerife – far fewer than at previous demos held on the island in April. But protestor Brian Harrison, a Welsh expat who moved to Tenerife in 1991, insisted: “You can add a zero to that.”

Organisers claim the number of tourists the islands attract – 16 million last year, with 17 million expected in 2024 – is putting up house prices and damaging the environment. They have accused local politicians of “complete inaction” over the issue.

Their demands include the introduction of a tourist tax, the halting of two macro hotel projects in Tenerife they say are illegal and limits on the purchase of property by non-residents.

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