The recent protests in the Canary Islands against the current tourism model, lack of housing and overexploitation of natural resources have had a major impact on the British press. Last Saturday, the tabloid The Sun warned its readers that this climate of rejection of mass tourism could also spread to another important sun and beach destination in Spain: Benidorm.
TheSun, one of Britain’s most widely read newspapers, has published an article warning that protests against mass tourism in the Canary Islands could spread to other popular tourist destinations in Spain, such as Benidorm. The newspaper quotes Fede Fuster, the president of the local hotel association HOSBEC, who expressed concern about the protests in the Canary Islands.
According to The Sun Hotel operators in Benidorm have admitted that they are very concerned about the growing anger among Canary Islanders. They labeled the proliferation of holiday homes in Spain a ‘virus’. Fede Fuster, the president of HOSBEC, said:
“We have seen with concern how people in the Canary Islands protested a few days ago against the negative effects of tourism. This is serious, it should worry us and get our attention. The delicate balance between tourists and residents that we have been able to maintain for decades has been broken.”
Tourist phobia, also known as anti-tourism or tourism anxiety, refers to negative attitudes and hostility towards tourists and tourism in general. It is a growing phenomenon in popular tourist destinations where locals experience the negative impact of mass tourism.
Benidorm is a popular destination on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante. It is known for beaches, nightlife and many hotels. Millions of tourists, mainly from the United Kingdom and other European countries, flock to this coastal town every year. Tourism is Benidorm’s main economic driver, with income from accommodation, restaurants, shops and attractions.
