Canary Island locals issue 5 word warning to ‘misbehaving’ British tourists | World | News
The Canary Islands is facing mounting frustration from local residents regarding the influx of visitors and poor behaviour from tourists, especially British tourists.
They have even warned tourists in the region:”It’s not a theme park.”
In October 2024, thousands rallied in the streets and holiday resorts across the Canary Islands to protest overtourism and demand changes to the tourism model to safeguard the Canary Islands.
Residents, concerned about the unsustainability of the current tourism model, held numerous protests throughout 2024 often brandishing placards with slogans like “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
Nestor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature, told Euronews: “British tourists are undoubtedly the worst behaved and show dramatic reactions in person and in the media when their behaviour and rejection by the local population is exposed.”
Locals recognised the importance of tourism for the economy but also emphasised the need to adopt a more sustainable and respectful approach to vacationing in the islands.
Local tourist guide in Gran Canaria, Guillermo, also told Euronews: “I understand that not everyone is looking for the local culture, but I ask you to be aware that there are people living here 365 days of the year.
“It’s not a theme park. You can’t do as you please because you think someone is coming to clean your mess. We are directly affected by your misbehaving and attitudes.”
Locals said they are struggling to afford housing due to the increase in short-term rentals managed by foreign companies and though it was initially seen as beneficial, Airbnb has contributed to gentrification and the displacement of local residents.
Guillermo added: “Since Airbnb started rocketing up, local people can no longer live in the areas they used to, and housing is becoming impossible across all the islands.”
According to the Spanish government’s national figures, the most tourists that came to Spain in 2024 were from the UK.
UK tourists spent more than 22.6 billion euros (about £18.8 billion) in Spain in 2024, which is 13.5% more than in 2023, according to La Moncloa.
9.9 million tourists visited the Canary Islands between January and September of last year, according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.
As the islands prepare for another influx of visitors in 2025, the call for responsible and respectful tourism is louder than ever.
Locals hope that tourists will heed their plea to preserve the islands’ beauty and ensure harmonious coexistence with those that live on the islands all year-round.
