Tenerife forced to take drastic action against Brit tourists - 'we had no choice'

Travel experts believe the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote, are facing economic chaos due to increasing tourism demands

Brits have been issued a fresh travel warning as tensions continue to rise in Tenerife over tourism concerns.

The Canary Island has been beset with chaos in recent months as locals took to the streets over what they call "overtourism". British holidaymakers have been the target of their rage.

Back in April, campaigners threatened a new means of protest, which was seen as a drastic measure needed to display their desperation. The strike was eventually called off after officials showed "zero interest" in their plight, according to the protesters.

At the same time, more than 50,000 people stormed the streets of Tenerife, holding up signs that read, "You enjoy, we suffer". The protesters claim while Brits and other European tourists enjoy the beauty of their home, they're forced to battle extreme poverty and housing shortages.

The hunger strikers, part of the "Canarias se exhausta" campaign group, originally said they had "no choice". Their statement read: "If we have reached this point it is because we have no other choice and because of the serious faults that our bad Government of the Canary Islands is committing."

They said that "the responsibility for what could ultimately happen" with the hunger strike "would be the same government that forced us to take this desperate measure." The group said the hunger strike and the April 20 protest were both motivated by "despair".

"Why do we want rulers who do not want to see what kind of consumed and worn out, violated and torn islands we are going to leave to our daughters and sons?" they said. "We would put our lives at risk, but you risk our future and that of the new generations."

Canary Island residents have been demanding urgent change as they fear the region's economy could "collapse" under the weight of tourist demands.

Experts last week claimed the islands, which have always been popular among British holidaymakers, were on the verge of destruction due to the overwhelming amount of urban development resulting from tourist demand. The islands are situated off Africa's west coast but are part of Spain, and include the popular Brit resorts of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. One resident alleged that the economic woes laying waste to the island are the result of short-term holiday rentals, like those booked through Airbnb.

Expert Nicola Quinn, who works for the Moving to Spain website while living in Tenerife - where she's been for the past 20 years - said that illegal Airbnbs are making island life "unsustainable". She notes that tourism is not the sole reason, adding that the construction of large hotels is a positive as it gives locals job opportunities.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Nicola explained: "Significant tourist growth across many of the Canary Islands has absolutely had a massive impact over the last decade. Huge resort complexes owned by international brands are popping up wherever there’s any room left. These hotels are great because they create jobs for locals and, in the case of high-end luxury hotels, they attract high-spending tourists."

She continued: "But these hotels are just one consequence of the Canaries’ boost in tourism. Due to the high demand for tourist accommodation and the lenient long-term rental laws that favour squatters, property owners would much rather rent their apartments to tourists on sites like Airbnb instead of locals. It’s safer for them and they can earn more money.

"This has caused an archipelago-wide housing crisis, where people who have jobs simply cannot afford to rent accommodation. Finding something as simple as a studio for under €1,000 (£856) per month is practically impossible unless you can afford to pay for 12 months’ rent upfront."