Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island.
Thousands of Canary Islanders took to the streets of the Atlantic archipelago today to protest against the problems caused by mass tourism and demand their politicians take action.
Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island The backdrop to the demos is an ongoing hunger strike six men and women began on April 11 outside a church in the northern Tenerife town of La LagunaOne proposed project involves the construction of a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last virgin beaches
Speaking ahead of the start of today's demonstrations, a spokesman for protest platform Canarias Se Agota which the hunger strikers are affiliated to, said: 'Today, April 20, marks the 10th day of the hunger strike.'Their determination inspires, their bravery moves us, their sacrifice reminds us that this struggle is everyone's and for everyone.
Protest groups including Canarias Se Agota, which in English translates literally as 'The Canary Islands are Exhausted', want the authorities to paralyse two tourist projects Other demands include the protection of natural spaces, a tourist tax and better working conditions for hotel cleaners Official sources put the number of demonstrators in Tenerife at midday at around 10,000 people, although that estimate had increased to 15,000 by 1pm local time with some predictions it could end up surpassing the 50,000 mark.
A woman protestor held up another which said: 'Fourteen million tourists a year but 36 per cent of Canarians at risk of poverty.
Insisting the current tourism model led to 'more people paying lower prices and badly-built hotels that destroyed beaches and protected areas' she added: 'I don't know why we aspire to so many numbers when this doesn't filter down to the rest of the population.
EXCLUSIVEREAD MORE: Tenerife goes to war against the Brits: Canary Islands demand a tourist tax and clampdown on families flying over to 'drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips' as locals brand Airbnb 'a cancer consuming the island' Advertisement The protests in the Canary Islands are mostly taking place away from the main tourist areas, which in Tenerife and Gran Canaria are in the south of the islands.
Jorge Marichal, president of regional hotel association ASHOTEL, has claimed tourists were ringing establishments to ask whether it was safe to come. READ MORE: Tenerife cabbies have a punch-up in front of shocked British tourists… as the island tries to move away from 'low-class' UK holidaymakers! Advertisement Protest platform Canarias Se Agota has insisted it has nothing to do with the graffiti that has appeared in parts of Tenerife over recent weeks - and has accused regional politicians of blaming them of tourism-phobia as part of a 'dirty tricks' campaign.
Ivan was born and raised in El Medano, a once quiet town about a 20 minute-drive east of the most popular tourist resort of Los Cristianos. The placards and angry residents poured through the streets after the level of tourism pushed them to their limit Nearly a dozen campaigners for a more sustainable type of tourism went ahead with their threat outside a church in the historic city of La Laguna.
'We say enough is enough, not in our name,' warns the manifesto, read by 'Canarias se exhausta' members Víctor Martín and Isora Mesa. Guiri is a Spanish slang word for foreigner, which is often used in a negative way to describe northern European or American visitors and expats. Later this month, on April 20, a second huge protest is being planned by a string of environmental and social groups, again in the capital.
'We need higher quality tourists who actually want to experience our culture and food and respect our nature. She added: 'There are hundreds of caravans who park up illegally and leave rubbish all over the place. 'Meanwhile there have been multiple cases of animals being injured or killed by boat propellers, there are often vessels in protected waters but no one is cracking down on the activity.'
She added: 'Even the public transport is being taken over, the other day a tour guide jump the queue for a bus and had 20 tourists with her, and locals were forced to wait for another one.' 'If the English didn't come, I tell you right now that graffiti would change to say 'English please come back!''
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thousands of Canary Islanders protest against mass tourismDemonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island.
Read more »
Brits in Canary Islands could be fined thousands for picking up stonesThat innocent souvenir could land you in hot water.
Read more »
Thousands across Canary Islands to protest tourismThe islands are struggling to cope with the influx of visitors.
Read more »
HUNDREDS have already been hit by Canary Islands rule that has seen British and Irish holiday...Apartment owners in the south of Gran Canaria were shocked to receive fines for living in their homes rather than renting out the flats built in complexes intended for tourists.
Read more »
HUNDREDS have already been hit by Canary Islands rule that has seen British and Irish holiday...Apartment owners in the south of Gran Canaria were shocked to receive fines for living in their homes rather than renting out the flats built in complexes intended for tourists.
Read more »
Brits warned over Canary Islands £2,000 fines due to little-known ruleA wave of fines have been handed out in the Canary Islands to people who refuse to rent out their holiday properties to tourists
Read more »