Hundreds of thousands have marched across 40 cities, protesting against soaring rents and a lack of affordable homes.
UK tourists have warned “be careful what you wish for” as they cancel their plans for a Spain holiday with anti-tourism protests continuing. Hundreds of thousands have marched across 40 cities, protesting against soaring rents and a lack of affordable homes.
In an open letter to holidaymakers last month, seven organisations representing residents stated: “Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.”
“Just don’t go to Spain,” wrote one Brit who was planning a European Union holiday, while a second fumed: “Would rather go to Italy anyway.” A third agreed, rushing to write how they’d boycott, adding: “Greece is nicer.”
READ MORE UK faces first snow of April with flurries and -7C ‘lasting three days’
A fourth said: “Their government can legislate against holiday homes and choose not to….my friend lives in a neighbourhood in Tenerife that is supposed to be residential only but there are plenty of holiday lets – despite ‘the rules’.
“The tourists are not the problem, the law and lack of enforcement is.” Another fumed: “simple, don’t go there and give them your money and when they come begging for our trade slap them with tariffs, which they will be forced to accept.”
Another typed: “Its paradise compared to the UK and very clean. I don’t blame the Spanish moaning about the Brits who are just loud lager louts who trash the streets, they get so drunk and on drugs and get into dangerous fights. I seen it with my own eyes, I keep away from British tourist spots prefer Spanish Old Towns. UK Is a dump not Spain.”
“”I’ve vowed never to return, more destinations that would welcome tourists,” another said. “Spain along with the Canaries will suffer as a result and then what? Job cuts across the board.”
Another wrote: “With new money from the EU, including the UK, Spain has lost its old world charm, and any bad behaviour caused by exessive drink were facilitated by the need to make a profit. The authority allowed this. You can’t have you cake and eat it”
“I hope they get exactly what they want. Boycott the place and in a years time unemployment will be through the roof and a huge percentage of businesses will be closed, there will be “civil unrest” between the people who protested and the people who lost their livelihoods’,” another fumed.