Easyjet releases statement following anti-tourism protests in Spain

Daily Mail​

19-05-2025

easyJet has released a statement after residents across the Canary Islands came out in full force over the weekend to protest again mass tourism - leaving holidaymakers cowering in hotels.
Tens of thousands of fed up locals kicked off demonstrations at 11am on 18 May on the seven main islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Lanzarote.
Furious residents marched with the slogan 'Canarias tiene un limite' (The Canaries has a limit, while slogans were chanted such as: 'El dinero del turismo, donde está?', meaning 'The money from tourism, where is it?'
Dressed in yellow shirts and carrying placards, they demanded authorities do more to limit tourism's impact on the area, such as reducing the number of short-term rentals and creating more affordable homes for locals.
Dozens of armed officers from the National Police were seen on patrol, as protesters were heard blowing through enormous shells to make a loud horn-like noise, while banging on drums.
The upheaval has left many holidaymakers too frightened to venture outside, as Irish tourist Alberto Babo shared that he's holed himself up in his Airbnb accommodation 'just to be safe.'
easyJet, a European carrier frequently used by UK visitors to Spain, has assured it haven't had yet encountered any issues with customers regarding anti-tourist protests.
A spokesperson added in a statement: 'Local policymakers have a range of tools to address impacts on local communities that may identify issues, including promoting other destinations.
Scores of fed-up locals kicked off demonstrations across the archipelago from 11am, including in Tenerife, where thousands of Brits are currently holidaying
'As such they would be better placed to help you on this matter as transport operators including airlines are simply serving the demand that exists.'
Demonstrators have also taken to the streets in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, as tensions towards tourists have continued to rise over the last year.
In April, locals fired water pistols at a tour bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, as they warned of bigger protests this summer.
On Sunday, in Lanzarote, an Irish holidaymaker revealed he was too scared to leave his AirBnB.
Alberto Babo, 32, told MailOnline: 'I didn't go out today due to the protests, I'm stuck in my Airbnb to avoid the crowds. I hope they are not violent or anything but just to be safe I'm here. All I can hear is the noise.'
One placard read: 'Stop excessive tourism… this is our home,' while another said: 'My misery is your paradise'. A banner declared the Canary Islands 'is no longer a paradise' thanks to tourism.
Another sign was inscribed with the words: 'tourists swim in s**t', referencing the large amount of sewage water that is dumped into the sea - the majority of it, activists say, coming from hotels and tourist accommodations.
Other placards in Spanish said: 'Don't sell your homes to guiris!' Guiri is a Spanish slang word for British and other tourists.
Protesters in Barcelona hold up signs which read: 'No queda paraiso para Lxs Canaria,' translating to 'There is no paradise left for the Canary Islands'
Protesters were heard blowing through enormous shells to make a loud horn-like noise, while banging on drums
Tourism minister for Tenerife, Lope Alfonso, has since announced that he will reach out to the activists to 'discuss the future of the islands'
Another housing issue is the high number of properties being snapped up by foreign purchasers, which locals say is behind skyrocketing prices
Thousands of people protested against the tourism model and mass tourism
'We are not against individual tourists, just those who don't respect the rules, who throw trash and pollute and commit crimes.
'We have toilets that are closed on our beaches because they are contaminated by sewage.
'Since our historic protest last year the government has done nothing, they have actually increased the number of tourists coming and we don't have enough room.
'The traffic is so bad when they are here; a 15-minute journey takes one hour.
'The number of Airbnbs is too high and there is nowhere to rent, it is catastrophic for the island.'
It comes after the Canary Islands government said it wants to hold emergency talks with the activists following a plunge in British bookings.
Santiago Sese, president of the region's Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern on Friday after revealing the number of British reservations for this summer have fallen by 8 per cent year-on-year in Tenerife.
Sese revealed the troubling numbers while presenting the Economic Situation Report for 2025, reports regional newspaper El Dia.
Among the protesters is Paula McKnight Morales, 39, whose father is from the US but who grew up on the islands
They want to ban on any new hotels or tourism apartment complexes from being built
Demonstrators could also be heard shouting 'Canarias No Se Vende', meaning 'The Canary Islands Are Not For Sale,' while they blew whistles and proudly held Canary Island flags in the sky.
Marchers also echoed the chant 'No hay cams pa' tanto guiri', translating to 'There's not enough beds for so many foreigners.' While another placard read: 'Enjoying a day at your pool? That water could be going on food.'
According to Metro, there were initially 2,000 marchers expected to participate in the march this Sunday - a significantly lower number than an April protest against anti-tourism in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz.
Holidaymakers looked on from rooftops as protesters marched by, as locals reportedly took the opportunity to pull the middle finger towards tourist, who allegedly did kissing gestures back.
Among the protesters is Paula McKnight Morales, 39, whose father is from the US but who grew up on the islands.
The swimming instructor told MailOnline: 'Spain has become the after party for Europe, and Tenerife has more tourists per year than Brazil, we don't have room.
Tourism minister for Tenerife, Lope Alfonso, has since announced that he will reach out to the activists to 'discuss the future of the islands'.
Alfonso said the government has been working on a model to 'achieve a balance between the interests of residents and tourists.'
Tourism minister for Tenerife, Lope Alfonso said the government has been working on a model to 'achieve a balance between the interests of residents and tourists.'
Activists are calling for a cap on the number of holidaymakers, to prevent overcrowding and resource depletion
According to Sese, there are signs of a decline in the number of tourists, with the British market among the most affected.
He said competing countries like Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and neighbouring Morocco have all seen their bookings increase.
He regretted that the advertising campaigns specifically targeting the UK are not having an impact.
It follows a series of widely-reported 'anti-tourism' protests across Spain that have made many Brits feel unwelcome.
But the 'Canaries has a limit' (Canarias tiene un limite) movement, which is behind the protests this weekend, has seemingly rejected the olive branch.
Referencing the government's offer of a dialogue it wrote: 'Dialogue? We want facts.
'The rest are attempts to calm what's coming: a social uprising demanding a fair model for the Canary Islands, where bosses, lobbyists, and corrupt officials have no place. See you this Sunday.'
The Canary Islands has a population of 2.2million people, but welcomes around 18million holidaymakers each year - which locals say is placing a strain on resources, causing jet fuel pollution, traffic chaos and a host of other issues.
Thousands of protestors gathered in Tenerife with flags and drums
For this reason, activists are calling for a cap on the number of holidaymakers, to prevent overcrowding and resource depletion.
Among their other demands is a ban on any new hotels or tourism apartment complexes, and the immediate demolition of projects already declared illegal.
These include large-scale luxury projects like the Cuna del Alma and La Tejita hotels in Tenerife, which they accuse of causing environmental harm.
They also want a 'significant' tourist eco-tax that will be used to pay for the conservation and maintenance of natural spaces.