Huge Spain protest to target UK holiday hotel used by TUI, Jet2holidays and easyJet
A date has been set for a huge march that will target location used by Brit tourists
A large-scale protest is set to take place at a luxury hotel frequented by UK holidaymakers and utilised by tour operators TUI, Jet2holidays and easyJet in Spain. Campaigners have earmarked a date later this month to demonstrate against a 400 luxury villa development in El Puertito de Adeje, Tenerife.
The demonstration is scheduled to occur outside Hotel Baobab Suites in Costa Adeje, a location promoted by tour operators TUI, Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays. The hotel, owned by Belgian businessman Filip Hoste, who is also the developer behind the 420 luxury villas, has been chosen as the protest site.
The protest is slated for 14 June at 12pm. This follows over 50,000 individuals signing a petition calling for a halt to the construction work, as reported by the Canarian.
The tourism project has faced criticism for alleged environmental damage, unauthorised works, and breaches of archaeological protections, according to the Canarian Weekly. A series of protests against overtourism have been taking place across Spain and the Canary Islands.
In some instances, tourists relaxing on beaches have found themselves encircled by protestors, while diners in cafes have been targeted with water pistols. Additionally, graffiti reading 'tourists go home' has become a common sight, reports <a href="https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/tourism/uk-holiday-hotel-used-tui-31783766" rel="Follow" target="_self">Yorkshire Live</a>.
Last month, the Spanish government launched a crackdown on Airbnb following complaints that locals are being priced out of their own towns and cities. The government ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 holiday rentals from its platform, accusing them of violating local rules by failing to list licence numbers, listing incorrect licence numbers or not specifying the apartment's owner.
Airbnb is contesting the move. Spain, one of the world's most visited countries, welcomed a record 94 million international visitors last year.
However, the surge in tourism has led to an affordability crisis in housing, particularly in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. This has sparked growing resentment against short-term holiday rentals, with Airbnb being the most prominent player.
The Spanish government has linked the rise of Airbnb and other short-term rental companies to increasing rents and housing costs. Consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy told The Associated Press: "Obviously there is a correlation between these two facts. It's not a linear relation, it's not the only factor affecting it, there are many others, but it is obviously one of the elements that is contributing."
A Bank of Spain report has highlighted a significant housing deficit in Spain, indicating a shortage of 450,000 homes with tourist accommodations and properties owned by non-residents occupying half the residential space in areas like the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Mr Bustinduy emphasised the vitality of tourism to Spain's economy: "Tourism is for sure a vital part of the Spanish economy. It's a strategic and very important sector. But as in every other economic activity, it must be conducted in a sustainable way," adding that it should not infringe upon Spaniards' fundamental rights: "It cannot jeopardise the constitutional rights of the Spanish people. Their right to housing, but also their right to wellbeing."
The issue has spurred widespread protests, drawing tens of thousands onto the streets demanding more robust governmental action on housing, with placards such as "Get Airbnb out of our neighbourhoods" emblematic of the public frustration.
While Airbnb faces legal challenges, the company stated that no listings will be removed in the interim: "A balance must be found between the constitutional rights of the Spanish people and economic activities in general," Mr Bustinduy remarked.
Regional efforts are being made to address the crisis, with Barcelona unveiling plans to phase out all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028, aiming to preserve housing availability for its permanent residents.
Airbnb, amidst Spain's recent directives, has maintained that while the platform links property owners to renters, it is not bound by oversight duties, albeit it insists that hosts prove their adherence to local regulations.
Mr Bustinduy expressed that Spain's latest measures mirror a growing intent not only within Spain but internationally as well, to bring tech giants such as Airbnb under scrutiny. "There is a battle going on about accountability and about responsibility," Mr Bustinduy remarked.
"The digital nature of these extraordinarily powerful multi-national corporations must not be an excuse to fail to comply with democratically established regulations."
A member of Sumar, the left-wing section of the ruling coalition, Mr Bustinduy took the opportunity to criticise budget airlines too. Spain has been challenging the practice of low-cost carriers imposing fees for carry-on luggage.
The previous year saw Spanish authorities penalise five economical airlines, including RyanAir and easyJet, with fines totalling 179 million dollars over hand baggage charges.
"The principle behind these actions is always the same: preserving consumer rights," asserted Mr Bustinduy. "Powerful corporations, no matter how large, have to adapt their business models to existing regulations."
He also dispelled any notion that Spain's stance towards Airbnb might put off potential visitors.
