Anti-tourist protests have returned to the Spanish island of Tenerife as furious locals launched a series of attacks just weeks before the Easter holidays.
Civil Guard investigators have launched a probe following a suspected anti-tourism attack on March 1.
The incident saw 11 rental cars have their tyres allegedly slashed by locals.
It is believed to have occurred in the early hours of the morning in Sibora, a quiet coastal area within the Los Tilos municipality – a popular destination among British tourists.
Authorities are investigating whether the vandalism was carried out by individuals protesting against the impact of mass tourism on the island.
The timing is particularly concerning for the travel industry, coming just weeks before Easter when thousands of British families traditionally flock to the Canary Islands.
News of the attack has only recently emerged after local police announced the probe into the incident.
The incident follows a troubling pattern of attacks on rental vehicles across the island.
Anti-tourism protests rocked the Spanish island last year
|
GETTY
In March last year, around 20 hire cars were torched in Costa Adeje in southern Tenerife, with anti-tourism activists blamed for the destruction.
Footage of the arson attack showed perpetrators moving through a car park targeting vehicles belonging to local rental firm Cicar before smashing windows and setting cars alight using flammable liquid.
The video was accompanied by the Jaws theme tune before switching to Edith Piaf’s “Non, Je ne regrette rien” as the vandalism unfolded.
Although no organisation claimed responsibility, the recording circulated widely on environmental and anti-tourism social media channels.
The incident follows a troubling pattern of attacks on rental vehicles across the island (file photo)
|
GETTY
Activist Roberto Mesa, who shared the footage while denying direct involvement, declared: “Peaceful means have been exhausted.”
The protests have extended well beyond vehicle attacks, with large demonstrations taking place across the archipelago.
In May last year, scores of residents gathered across the islands, prompting dozens of armed National Police officers to patrol the streets while frightened holidaymakers remained inside their accommodation.
Alberto Babo, a 32-year-old Irish visitor, told the Mail: “I didn’t go out today due to the protests, I’m stuck in my Airbnb to avoid the crowds. I hope they are not violent or anything but just to be safe I’m here. All I can hear is the noise.”
Large demonstrations have taken place in a number of areas across the archipelago
|
GETTY
The unrest has also affected British travel patterns, with Santiago Sese, the president of Tenerife’s Chamber of Commerce, saying UK bookings for last summer dropped by eight per cent compared with the previous year.
Rival destinations including Turkey, Greece, Egypt and Morocco all recorded increased reservations during the same period.
Anti-tourism sentiment has spread beyond the Canary Islands, with demonstrators in Barcelona making headlines for spraying water pistols at visitors in popular tourist areas.
Mark Meader, vice-president of the US ASTA travel association, warned the scenes had deterred some American travellers from visiting the Catalan capital.
The protests have prompted ABTA, the UK travel body, to issue guidance helping agents reassure concerned British customers following extensive media coverage of the unrest.
Susan Deer, ABTA’s director of institutional relations, confirmed that travel agencies were receiving growing numbers of enquiries from worried holidaymakers.
Meanwhile, Majorca’s Menys Turisme Mes Vida organisation has signalled plans for further disruptive campaigns this summer, stating grassroots action remains the only way to confront overtourism.
