Fears are mounting over tourist safety in Tenerife after threatening graffiti reading "kill a tourist" appeared on a residential building in the popular holiday destination.
The menacing message was painted by the Islas de Resistencia group, who describe themselves as "a project to recover the memory of social movements in the Canary Islands".
"Things on the islands are getting worse due to the large number of tourists and new residents, which leave us without homes and severely affect our natural environment," a local resident who spotted the graffiti told LBC.
"Perhaps this does not justify those actions, which seem to be escalating. It's frightening," the resident said.
Spain has witnessed widespread demonstrations against mass tourism throughout last spring and summer, with tens of thousands taking to the streets across various resort areas.
The protesters have targeted local business leaders and government officials, who are keen to express their growing anger over the economic and environmental impact on residents.
While most demonstrations have remained peaceful, there has been a concerning progression towards more aggressive protest tactics.
The proliferation of holiday rental apartments have frustrated nationals, who insist that tourists have pushed them out of the property market.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Residents have reported being unable to buy or rent homes in their communities due to the tourism-driven housing crisis.
In October, sunbathers at Tenerife's Troya beach were confronted by hundreds of protesters mobbing the tourist hotspot.
The demonstrators waved placards and chanted slogans including "More tourists, more misery" and "the Canary Islands are not for sale".
Video footage shared on social media showed stunned holidaymakers surrounded by protesters, who were beating drums and blowing whistles.
The aggressive nature of the beach protest drew criticism from several local residents.
Canary islander Veronica Quintero condemned the tactics, saying: "What they did was a d****d thing to do. We have to fight for quality tourism but not against those who come here."
She added: "We shouldn't f*** the tourist who is on the beach because they have paid for an offer."
Nevertheless, despite persistent anti-tourist protests taking place last year, Spain is set to welcome a record-breaking number of tourists in 2025.
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The menacing message was painted by the Islas de Resistencia group, who describe themselves as "a project to recover the memory of social movements in the Canary Islands".
"Things on the islands are getting worse due to the large number of tourists and new residents, which leave us without homes and severely affect our natural environment," a local resident who spotted the graffiti told LBC.
"Perhaps this does not justify those actions, which seem to be escalating. It's frightening," the resident said.
Spain has witnessed widespread demonstrations against mass tourism throughout last spring and summer, with tens of thousands taking to the streets across various resort areas.
The protesters have targeted local business leaders and government officials, who are keen to express their growing anger over the economic and environmental impact on residents.
While most demonstrations have remained peaceful, there has been a concerning progression towards more aggressive protest tactics.
The proliferation of holiday rental apartments have frustrated nationals, who insist that tourists have pushed them out of the property market.
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Residents have reported being unable to buy or rent homes in their communities due to the tourism-driven housing crisis.
In October, sunbathers at Tenerife's Troya beach were confronted by hundreds of protesters mobbing the tourist hotspot.
The demonstrators waved placards and chanted slogans including "More tourists, more misery" and "the Canary Islands are not for sale".
Video footage shared on social media showed stunned holidaymakers surrounded by protesters, who were beating drums and blowing whistles.
The aggressive nature of the beach protest drew criticism from several local residents.
Canary islander Veronica Quintero condemned the tactics, saying: "What they did was a d****d thing to do. We have to fight for quality tourism but not against those who come here."
She added: "We shouldn't f*** the tourist who is on the beach because they have paid for an offer."
Nevertheless, despite persistent anti-tourist protests taking place last year, Spain is set to welcome a record-breaking number of tourists in 2025.
Find Out More...