Spaniards who previously bid farewell to British vacationers last year are now expressing a desire for their return as protests against tourism lose momentum, according to recent research.
Angry residents in Spain, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands had previously engaged in confrontations with tourists, using water guns and causing disturbances on beaches due to overcrowding. However, a new study by holiday company On the Beach reveals that nearly 80% of the locals now welcome UK tourists, with only a small minority, around seven percent, still opposing their presence.
The survey shows that most respondents are concerned about the impact on their businesses, many of which heavily rely on tourism, a significant contributor to Spain’s economy. Almost half of the participants worry that the demonstrations have harmed their local pubs, hotels, and shops, while a striking 85% acknowledge the crucial role of tourism in Spain’s economy.
Zoe Harris from On the Beach emphasized that Spain urgently needs tourists, as highlighted by the majority of Spaniards. She stated that Brits play a vital role in supporting local communities and businesses dependent on tourism. Additionally, a majority of Spaniards expressed dissatisfaction with short-term rentals like Airbnb driving up rental prices and displacing locals from the housing market.
The study by On the Beach indicates that the frustration witnessed in protests is not aimed at tourists but rather at the Spanish authorities. Harris reiterated that tourism is not the enemy, and communities in Spain and the Canary Islands are eager to welcome British visitors.
Despite Spain’s enduring popularity as a holiday destination, Turkey has surpassed the Canaries as the top choice for UK travelers. The tourism industry in Spain is concerned that the aggressive demonstrations targeting tourists last year could have severely damaged the nation’s £100 billion annual travel sector.
During the peak of the unrest last summer, protestors were seen using water pistols against tourists dining in restaurants, while chanting “tourists go home.” Some even went as far as blocking beaches and preventing visitors from sunbathing.
Jorge Marichal, head of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, criticized the protesters as being “not very intelligent” during the height of the chaos.