Brits set to be hit by tourist tax in Tenerife from next year after protests on Spanish island

British tourists will have to contend with a new kind of tax being introduced in Tenerife on the back of mass protests about the number of visitors.

Visitors to the Spanish island will need to pay a currently undisclosed figure as part of plans to curb overtourism, reports the Sun.

Tens of thousands were involved in rallies last weekend that were seen on Tenerife and on other Canary islands of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Protests also involved a hunger strike, wrote the Mail.

A spokesman for protest platform Canarias Se Agota told the media: “Today, April 20, marks the 10th day of the hunger strike.

“Today we cannot forget these people who are putting their lives at risk for our Earth.

“Their determination inspires, their bravery moves us, their sacrifice reminds us that this struggle is everyone's and for everyone.”

The new tax will come in on New Year’s Day 2025.

It is understood that it will not be applied to tourists upon accessing the island but instead the charge will be made for visits to natural spots and beauty sites.

This includes visits to the volcano Mount Teide and hamlets such as Masca while islanders will also be charged.

Rosa Dávila, the first female president of Tenerife, said: “We must analyse the exceptionalities that can be applied in a territory as fragile and limited as ours. What is clear is that Tenerife cannot be a theme park.

"Those who visit us have to value and respect our natural and cultural wealth, our resources, and they have to be clear about the rules for their preservation.

"In addition, there have to be limits to prevent tourism from overflowing."