Spaniards who previously bid farewell to British tourists last year are now inviting them back as anti-tourism protests diminish, according to new research findings.
Last year, residents in Spain, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands expressed anger over overcrowding by using water guns on tourists and engaging in confrontations on beaches. However, recent research conducted by holiday company On the Beach reveals that nearly 80% of residents now welcome UK sun-seekers, with only a small minority of seven percent in opposition.
The survey results show that most respondents are concerned about the state of their businesses, many of which heavily rely on tourism, a significant contributor to Spain’s economy. Nearly half of the respondents worry about damage caused to local pubs, hotels, and shops by the protests, with 85% acknowledging the vital role tourism plays in Spain’s economy.
Zoe Harris from On the Beach emphasized the importance of tourists to Spain, stating that Brits are essential for the communities and businesses dependent on tourism. She highlighted that the frustration seen during protests is not directed towards holidaymakers but towards the Spanish authorities. Harris emphasized that tourism is welcomed by communities across Spain and the Canary Islands.
Despite Spain remaining a popular holiday destination, Turkey has surpassed the Canaries as the UK’s top choice. Spanish tourism officials fear that the aggressive protests against tourists could have severely impacted the nation’s £100 billion annual travel sector.
During the peak of the chaos last summer, Jorge Marichal, head of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, criticized the protesters as being “not very intelligent.”