British expats say overtourism could ‘fortify’ Tenerife

MADRID – Protesters against “overtourism” in Tenerife are not targeting foreign holidaymakers but want to defend their island before it is “covered in cement”, a British travel company founder says.

Sharon Backhouse is the founder of GeoTenerife, which organizes sustainable educational science trips to Spanish islands. She said she was not opposed to tourism but believed the current model should be changed.

Her comments came as six members of Canarias Se Agota (Canary Islands Sell Out) began an indefinite hunger strike last week to protest against what they see as uncontrolled tourism, which they claim threatens the popular resort The future of resorts.

More demonstrations are planned for next Saturday in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma, under the slogan “The Canaries have limits”.

“this [protest] Not for foreign tourists. [The Canarians] Ms. Backhouse told us that they are warm and welcoming people, but they are trying to get a fair shake and protect their beautiful island for future generations so that they are not just cementing their island. I.

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“We have been calling for a change in the tourism model for several years. I run a business and have invested in the Canary Islands. I want a return, but I think it has to be fair.”

Ms Backhouse, who has split her life between the UK and Tenerife, added: “I think you have to pay a fair wage and be on a contract that doesn’t have zero hours. It’s impossible for foreign investors to come in and pay very little taxes and then spend all the money.

“If anyone has a job [in tourism] But having to live in a caravan because they don’t make enough money, then something goes seriously wrong. ”

Protesters are demanding that authorities stop construction on two hotel developments, Hotel La Tejita and Cuna del Alma, in Porto Adeje, Tenerife. Both projects were ordered halted by the local government of the Canary Islands due to environmental violations and violations, but construction work has recently resumed.

Ms. Backhouse made an award-winning film about the 2021 La Palma eruption called lava bombindicating that locals welcome tourists.

Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo said on Sunday tourism models should be re-examined after the protests and said authorities were considering imposing a tourist tax elsewhere in Spain.

According to statistics from the Canary Islands government, tourism accounted for approximately 35% of the Canary Islands’ GDP last year and brought employment opportunities to 400,000 islanders. The islands have a population of over 2 million.

The UK is the largest source of tourism to the archipelago. Figures from airport manager Aena show that there will be 5.7 million British tourists in 2023, accounting for more than a third of the 14.1 million foreign visitors last year.