British holidaymakers have launched a backlash against anti-tourist locals in Tenerife who have told them to ‘go home’.
Last week, hundreds of protestors stormed a beach in the sunny Spanish destination, leaving holidaymakers cowering in their towels as Spain‘s anti-tourism movement continues to gain momentum.
Huge anti-tourism demonstrations took place with many complaining the influx of holidaymakers is negatively impacting the lives of Spanish locals.
However, despite facing calls to return home, Brits were seen entirely unfazed on the beach.
One person was spotted casually browsing on his phone while another flashed a peace sign at a camera trying to film him, the Mirror writes.
Hundreds of anti-tourist protesters stormed a Tenerife beach while shouting and holding posters as holidaymakers cowered on their towels
Holidaymakers were targeted by a mob of placard-waving locals who are furious about the current tourism model
This couple were enjoying a day out at the beach when noisy protesters took over
A protester holds a sign reading ‘The Canary Islands have a limit’ as thousands march on Las Americas beach
Astonishing footage showed holidaymakers being surrounded and penned in by Spanish locals while they were sunbathing in swim shorts and bikinis.
It follows a summer of major demonstrations across Spain’s popular resorts, with anger particularly mounting over mass tourism this year.
The beach demonstration occurred soon after protesters had started a midday march at Metropolis shopping centre nearby.
Locals were heard shouting ‘No hay camas pa’ tanto guiri’ – which in English would translate as ‘There’s not enough beds for so many foreigners’.
One woman was carrying a cardboard poster which said: ‘Tourists, go f*****g home.’
Other posters borne by protesters said: ‘Enjoying a day at your pool? That water could be going on food’ as well as ‘Macrotourism destroys Canary Islands’ and ‘The Canaries have a limit. More trees, less hotels.’
Another in Spanish said: ‘The Canaries Don’t Live off Tourism. Tourism lives off the Canaries.’
One couple, whose nationality is not known, were filmed lying trapped on their beach towel in their swimming costumes while they were surrounded by protesters on all sides making noise and waving banners.
Other holidaymakers were spotted leaving the area as they saw the beach being overwhelmed by the unexpected visitors.
The scenes occurred soon after protesters had started a midday march at a shopping centre
Holidaymakers had a day to forget as hundreds of protesters made their way down the shoreline
Thousands of flag-waving demonstrators hit the streets across Spain’s Canary Islands to demand changes to the model of mass tourism
Families were left in shock as their day out at the beach took a chaotic turn in Tenerife
A protester holds a placard reading ‘Invasion does not come in ‘patera’, it comes by plane
Many locals have taken part in demonstrations all summer, and the anti-tourism momentum continues to grow
Holidaymakers looked uncomfortable as they were surrounded by angry locals
Protesters march along a street of Playa de las Americas during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism
There were no reports of any violence but protesters, whose banners included one in English which said ‘Go Home Tourist’ are said to have been mocked and taunted.
Protestors who stormed the beach were then branded ‘d***heads’ as anger over their actions grew.
Canary islander Veronica Quintero said of the Tenerife beach revolt: ‘What they did was a d***head thing to do.
‘We have to fight for quality tourism but not against those who come here.’
‘We shouldn’t f*** the tourist who is on the beach because they have paid for an offer.’
Another local raged: ‘I don’t understand, countries competing, innovating to get money in the form of tourist investment or whatever because things are getting tough and these ignorant people with good telephones, well-fed thanks to the investments that have been made on this island.’
Ayoze Vera, referring to the placard appearing to allude to tourists equating to ‘smelly people’ said: “I’ll stick with the ‘jediondos” poster image.
‘There we realise what kind of people go to these things.’
