British tourists in Tenerife are warned after a rise in aggressive acts targeting tourists and rental properties, sparking local discontent over mass tourism.
British tourists currently on holiday in Tenerife, one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, have been cautioned following a series of recent violent incidents targeting tourism-related properties. Local activists and residents have expressed growing frustration regarding the impact of mass tourism, leading to what has been described as an “uncommon” trend of aggressive actions against tourists and their property.
Recent reports highlight that multiple acts of vandalism have occurred in the southern region of Tenerife, including a viral video showing individuals smashing windows and setting fire to rental cars belonging to the Canarian car rental company Cicar. Activist groups have circulated this footage online, emphasising the sense of urgency felt by the local community. One post accompanying the video stated, “We have received a video from Canarian activists, fed up with mass tourism, overcrowding in their neighbourhoods, and the lack of distribution of the ‘supposed wealth generated by tourism.’”
National Police are currently investigating the incidents, which involved damage to approximately twenty rental vehicles. Roberto Mesa, an activist who has voiced his concerns on social media, noted that these actions follow a trend of increasing discontent among residents who feel their peaceful protests against tourism have largely been overlooked. “The ‘peaceful’ avenues have been exhausted,” Mesa remarked, although he clarified that he is not directly connected to the recent acts of vandalism.
In recent weeks, Mesa highlighted three actions that are unusual for the Canary Islands, suggesting a turning point in local sentiment. Additionally, the Tenerife employers’ association, CEOE, previously reported incidents of arson—including the burning of construction machinery related to the contentious Cuna del Alma project—indicating a pattern of violent responses associated with anti-tourism sentiment.
Activists have also encountered increasingly aggressive graffiti targeting tourists, with slogans suggesting drastic measures. One of the latest acts of vandalism reportedly occurred in the early hours of March 5, specifically in a parking lot frequented by several car rental companies in Costa Adeje.
The sentiment expressed by protesting locals reflects their frustrations regarding the overwhelming presence of visitors, with one activist stating, “We have nowhere to park, nor anywhere to live in peace. We don’t need more roads, just fewer rental cars.” Mesa further noted that the Canary Islands have one of the highest ratios of cars per capita, remarking, “The Canary Islands, as a country, would rank seventh in the world in terms of the number of cars.” He cautioned that without significant changes, conditions might deteriorate further.
As the investigation continues, local authorities and stakeholders are likely to assess the implications of these incidents for the tourism industry in Tenerife and the broader societal impacts on the island.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/anti-tourism-protests-graffiti-spain-tenerife – This article corroborates the presence of anti-tourism graffiti in Tenerife, including threatening messages like ‘kill a tourist,’ reflecting local frustration with mass tourism.
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/anti-tourism-protests-spain-hire-cars-fire – This report details the violent protests in Tenerife, where activists torched rental cars, highlighting the escalation of anti-tourism actions and their impact on the local economy.
- https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/VIDEO-Anti-tourism-activists-carry-out-three-violent-acts-in-Tenerife – This article provides evidence of recent violent acts by anti-tourism activists in Tenerife, including vandalism against rental cars and construction equipment, reflecting growing local discontent.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source provides general information on the current situation in Tenerife, though specific details about the incidents are not available in the search results.
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/anti-tourism-protests-spain-hire-cars-fire – This article also mentions the investigation by Spain’s National Police into the vandalism of rental cars, indicating a serious response to the anti-tourism violence.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent incidents and ongoing investigations, suggesting that the information is current. However, specific dates like March 5 indicate it might be a few weeks old.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Roberto Mesa and other activists are included, but no specific online sources were found to verify these as the earliest references. They appear to be original or recent statements.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Birmingham Mail, a reputable local news source in the UK. This generally suggests a reliable source of information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about anti-tourism sentiment and vandalism in Tenerife are plausible given the context of local frustrations with mass tourism. However, some specific details like the exact number of cars per capita in the Canary Islands could not be verified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and based on plausible events. It originates from a reliable source and includes quotes that seem original or recent. While some details could not be fully verified, the overall context suggests a well-founded report.
