Millions of UK tourists planning to visit popular Spanish destinations such as Lanzarote, Tenerife, Majorca, and Barcelona may need to reconsider their summer travel plans. An unprecedented warning has been issued by local protest groups, who are gearing up for mass demonstrations set to take place on June 15.
The Southern European Network Against Touristisation (SET), a collective of activists, is organizing the protest across key tourist hotspots in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and mainland Spain. The protests aim to draw attention to the rapid growth of tourism and its effects on local communities, with organizers calling for immediate action.
Elena Boschi, one of the protest leaders, explained the group’s objectives, stating: “We want tourists to understand the severity of the situation; without awareness, there can be no real change.”
Daniel Pardo, another prominent figure within the movement, cautioned that the protests would not follow a single, unified strategy. “We are prepared for a range of actions, but we will remain focused on the central issue—the overwhelming growth of tourism.”
While the protests are not aimed directly at tourists, demonstrators have made it clear that they are opposed to the type of tourism that, according to them, is transforming local cities and regions into overcrowded, less enjoyable places to live.
One protester noted: “We are not against tourism itself, but we reject the kind of tourism that makes our cities unlivable for the residents who call them home.”
The upcoming demonstrations come amid growing concern over the sustainability of tourism in Spain’s most visited regions. Local authorities and tourism stakeholders have yet to respond publicly to the protests, which are expected to disrupt popular destinations for UK holidaymakers this summer.
As June approaches, UK travelers heading to Spain may face additional uncertainty, with the potential for significant disruption to their planned holidays.
