Lanzarote and Tenerife turn on locals who warned UK tourists to 'go home'

Canary Island protesters who are furious over overtourism and an influx of UK tourists have been issued a humiliating update - after it emerged Tenerife was joining Lanzarote's "Love Tourism" movement. The European Union holiday hotspots are proving more welcoming to Brits after weeks and months of protests and unrest.

Augusto Ferreira, the organiser of a recent pro-tourism demonstration and founder of the new association “Lanzarote Loves Tourism,” has been gaining traction not only locally but also from other islands and internationally.

He recently appeared on a radio programme called “A Buena Hora", where he said in a recent update: “When the Cabildo says they are looking for quality tourists... imagine if we go anywhere and they tell us they only want quality Spaniards."

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“Our association will be called Lanzarote Loves Tourism because, although it's in English, we all understand what it means and who the message is directed towards," he said. The organisation Lanzarote Loves Tourism has formed a partnership with CEST, which represents approximately 500 companies in the south of Tenerife.

They have urged locals to be more careful when they tell Brits to "go home". “They have contacted me, and we had meetings on Friday and Saturday," he said, adding: “We will sign the first collaboration agreement with them very soon under the slogan Tenerife Loves Tourism." He went on: "We are very happy.”

The association has also made waves internationally, with their popular t-shirts now showcased at the London Tourism Fair and the World Travel Market. He said: ""We defend sustainable tourism. It's not about wanting more hotels; it's about protecting our tourism sector and our tourists.

"We need to improve infrastructures because quality tourists expect good facilities, and we must continue enhancing them.” And he also added: "We want any company to join without seeking the spotlight. The protagonist is Lanzarote and the tourism sector, which we must protect from certain challenges."