Brits who have enjoyed holidays in the top tourist destination of Spain have revealed they will never return as a result of the overtourism protests that have gripped the country. This comes after a protest group have issued a stark warning as they “mobilise” ahead of June.
A major series of demonstrations will be held across the country – from Lanzarote and Tenerife in the Canaries, to Majorca in the Balearics and Barcelona on the mainland – on June 15. The protest, coordinated by the Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET), is set to demand action over tourism growth. “We want tourists to have some level of fear about the situation; without fear, there is no change,” explained Elena Boschi, one of the protesters.
Another demonstrator added: “We are not against tourists, but what we don’t welcome is a way of being in our cities and regions that turns it into a place that is no longer nice to live in for us.”
However, despite seemingly not being the target of the protests, Brits have taken to social media to reveal that they will never again return to the iconic souther Mediterranean country.
One Brit said: “Ever since they have had their protests, we’ve gone elsewhere. Thailand, Cyprus, Malta. Greece next. They are far more welcoming, so they get our money. Don’t think we’ll ever go back to Spain now. Adios.”
“I’m not going to stay in a hotel in Spain after this year, I’m taking my accommodation with me so they can’t whinge about that,” said another.
“I don’t go where I’m not welcome. Stopped going to Spain 2 years ago. Recent trips have been France (twice), Germany, Poland, Malta and Italy. All great, no protests, good policing and less scammers. Let the protesters destroy 13% of the Spanish GDP,” another said.
Not all Brits were against the protests, however: “I agree with them to a certain extent. It’s the people who buy up residential houses like they do here and in Cornwall and Wales so locals have nowhere to live. Holiday makers who stay in hotels are providing a living for locals and they know that.”
Protests are expected to take place in airports, popular beaches and city centres, with organisers warning that tourists should brace for disruption. Some have hinted at possible demonstrations inside airport terminals during peak summer travel season.
Last summer, similar protests drew thousands of residents acorss Spain, with signs reading “Tourists go home” and some confrontations turning hostile. In Barcelona, some visitors were sprayed with water pistols, amove condemned by the Spanish Tourism Minister.
