2024-04-06 05:44:28
Locals in Tenerife say home-rental website Airbnb is driving up the cost of rent and living costs, and they are frustrated by the noise and rubbish pollution caused by the seasonal influx of holidaymakers. Islanders told The Daily Mail they had had enough and called for a moratorium on the tourist industry, a tourist tax and tighter controls.
In the past few days, new anti-tourism graffiti has appeared in the resort, with the words “tourists, drive home” and “too many foreigners”.
“The locals are being forced to move out and it’s your responsibility… digital nomads, you’re not welcome here,” read one of the posters stuck to the wall.
But some Britons seem to be resisting. One of the slogans written by the locals says in English that it is the tourists who pay their salaries.
Protest actions
Tensions are rising on the island as more people join calls to curb tourism. Last week, a protest called “Salvar La Tejida” (“Save La Teida”) was planned in the city of Santa Cruz.
Campaigners will hold a press conference to outline their demands, followed by a march. Meanwhile, a number of environmental and social groups are planning a second major protest on April 20.
The event poster says that the Canary Islands have limits. During the march, the protestors will demand “the preservation of natural spaces, the announcement of a tourist moratorium, and the tightening of regulations on foreigners buying real estate.”
Locals complain the most about the rising cost of renting and buying, as landlords continue to buy up Airbnb and tourist rentals, reducing supply and driving up prices.
Ivan Cerdena Molina, a 36-year-old tech worker, is helping organize the protest this month.
“This is a crisis, we need to urgently change the situation, people are living in cars and even in caves, and local residents cannot eat, drink and live well,” he said. “Airbnb and Booking.com are like a cancer bit by bit eating away at the island.”
He added that the benefits of this industry are not reaching ordinary people, whose wages have not increased for years and the quality of life here is deteriorating.
Ivan was born and raised in the town of El Medano, about 20 minutes east of the popular tourist resort of Los Cristianos.
This Easter weekend, the area was flooded with holidaymakers who parked dozens of caravans and jeeps in areas that were previously protected.
“I feel like a foreigner here, I don’t feel comfortable anymore. Everything seems to be designed for British and German tourists who just want to drink cheap beer, lie in the sun and eat burgers and fries, local artist Vicky Colomer, 63, told The Daily Mail. “We need more quality tourists who really want to know our culture and food and respect our nature.”
“It used to be paradise, but now this place is gone and that makes me angry. We need to reduce the number of flights and visitors and focus on bringing in better quality people.
“Hundreds of caravans park illegally and leave garbage everywhere,” the woman was angry.
V. Colomer explained that a few weeks ago, near her home, foreign tourists organized a party with a music stand and speakers in the middle of the field. She added that young people are increasingly angry because they cannot find decent work.
“They spend many years studying and studying at university, but the only job they are offered here is in a hotel, restaurant or bar, so all our young talents have to go to the mainland to pursue a decent career, which is wrong,” she said.
Vicky added that a big problem in the resort is traffic, with traffic jams between the resort towns and the highway lasting up to an hour and a half during high season.
“Even public transport is blocked, recently a tour guide with 20 tourists broke through the queue, and local residents were forced to wait for the next bus,” said a local resident.
A threat to wildlife
However, it is not only the impact on people’s lives that angers some residents.
Biologist Anne Striewe, 47, spoke about the harmful effects of tourism on wildlife.
“Hundreds of boats and jet skis pump gasoline in our waters every day,” she testified. – In addition, there are boat parties where music plays all day. People don’t realize that whales and other animals can hear it, and it really confuses them and scares them, they get distracted.”
“Meanwhile, there have been numerous cases where animals have been injured or killed by ship propellers, often ships sail in protected waters, but no one takes measures to prevent this activity,” the biologist added.
Meanwhile, according to the environmental group Salvar Tenerife (Save Tenerife), millions of liters of sewage are dumped into the sea off Tenerife and other islands every day, and this amount increases significantly during the tourist season.
Anne added that locals are tired of the government prioritizing tourism.
“Due to the recent drought, water supply has been cut off in some areas, but not in hotels and golf courses,” she fumed.
The biologist claimed that the demands for more control are not directed against individual tourists, but a limit has been reached – they want to draw the attention of the government and the media, which is why provocative graffiti appeared on the walls.
British response
Back in Los Cristianos, British expats and tourists were quick to defend themselves against the growing anti-tourism sentiment.
“Recently, anti-crisis sentiment has suddenly reached its peak. I think what they are saying is unfair, because without tourism there would be nothing here,” 47-year-old Briton Melissa Taylor told The Daily Mail.
According to the woman, they come here and spend a lot of money. Terrilea Clayton, who lives in Tenerife, agreed with her thoughts.
“Without tourism, I wouldn’t have a job, and it brings money to the island,” she testified. “It’s a bit silly and unfair.” Tenerife became a ghost town during COVID-19 and it was terrifying.”
But Mr Clayton admitted he understood some of the controversy over rents. She was evicted from her apartment because the landlord wanted to turn it into an Airbnb.
“Obviously it’s ridiculous to criticize tourism, because without it there would be no jobs, the economy is very dependent on it,” said 43-year-old Emma Barker. – However, the rental situation is getting out of control. I’ve been very lucky with my landlord, but if I had to find a new apartment now, I don’t think I could because it’s too expensive and there are very few long-term vacancies. I should probably move to another country and start all over again.”
Another Briton, John Ashley, explained to The Daily Mail that if the locals stop or reduce tourism, they will feel sorry for themselves.
“If the English didn’t come, I tell you the content of the graffiti would change and say: English, please come back!”, he snapped. – We have been coming here for 20 years and have been helping the local economy for more than that. We Brits always have a bad reputation, but we bring in all the money.”
Jay Neil, a 43-year-old man from London who lives in Tenerife, said that locals need to stop blaming tourists for all their problems.
“I’ve lived here for 17 years and yes, the real estate situation has gotten crazy. But they need to stop blaming tourists, the problem is greedy landlords, people buy five apartments and rent them out to holidaymakers because they know they can make a fortune,” he said.
According to Mr Neil, to say that tourists must go home is simply stupid. The government needs to take action to solve the housing crisis that exists around the world.
Based on information from The Daily Mail.
2024-04-06 05:44:28