An online travel agent has put up its own version of the iconic British war hero posters in Spain and the Canary Islands, calling for British tourists to ignore protests and travel to its holiday hotspots. The posters have been plastered in high footfall locations after a new survey of Spanish residents found that, despite recent tourism protests, Brits are in fact welcome and needed in the Canary Islands and mainland Spain.
The Spanish study, conducted by On the Beach, revealed that more than three quarters have no problem with tourists visiting hotels in the Canary Islands and Spain. In fact, despite the widespread protests, only 7% are actually against tourists staying in hotels. Meanwhile, a whopping 85% agree that the Spanish economy needs tourism. Now, in a desparate bid to encourage Brits to return to the renowned holiday nation, the travel agent has recreated the iconic 1914 poster, “Lord Kitchener Wants You” designed to boost recruitment to the UK army.
Now Brits are being told: “Tourists, Spain wants you”.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “The message from Spain is loud and clear, Spain needs tourists, Spain wants tourists.
“Those taking part in the tourism protests are in the minority, and our posters are there to show Brits they’re not just welcome, they’re vital to the communities and businesses that rely on tourism.”
Spanish locals know tourism is vital to their economy, according to the study, with almost half believing local businesses, hotels, bars and shops have suffered as a result of the protests.
In Palma de Mallorca, around 10,000 people marched in late May 2024 demanding stricter controls on short-term tourist rentals and fewer flights, arguing that cheap tourist flats were driving up housing prices and overwhelming local services. In Barcelona in the following July, some 3,000 protesters (though organisers claimed more) gathered to spray tourists with water pistols, wrap caution tape around popular tourist streets and denounce how mass tourism was displacing residents and burdening housing, waste and water systems.
Ms Harris continued: “The frustration we’ve seen on the streets isn’t directed at holidaymakers, it’s directed at government policies around housing and short-term rentals.
“We’ve heard that locals are struggling with rising rents and a lack of affordable homes, and they want their government to take action on housing.
“Tourism is not the enemy and communities across Spain and the Canary Islands want to welcome Brits with open arms. That’s why we’re standing with local businesses and residents to remind holidaymakers: Spain needs you, Spain wants you.”
The study also revealed that almost two thirds (65%) of those residents polled are against short-term rentals such as Airbnb.
According to On the Beach, the research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,001 Spanish consumers with a minimum of 250 who live in the Canary Islands.