Spain handed humiliating update over protests as UK tourists make feelings clear

Spain's tourism industry is experiencing a surge in visitors as anti-tourist protesters and demonstrators are handed humiliation over their anti-UK tourist anger. European Union tourism leaders have reported UK tourists are flocking to Spain in their droves.

Recent data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals that the country welcomed 9.6million international visitors in September alone, marking a 9.1 per cent increase from the previous year, according to official statistics.

UK travellers are now flocking to other regions, particularly Andalusia, which has welcomed 1.4 million international visitors in September, a 10.3 per cent year-on-year increase. Spending in Andalusia surged by 16.5 per cent, reaching 1.9 billion euros.

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British tourists were the top spenders overall, contributing 2.5 billion euros in September alone, a 9.3 per cent increase from the previous year. Hundreds of locals protested against “suffocating” tourism on the streets of San Sebastian last weekend amid growing anti-tourist sentiment in Spain.

Sunday’s demonstration was organised by BiziLagunEkin (with the neighbours) and supported by over 50 regional groups in an “October Against Tourism”. The civic association said: “Citizens have taken to the streets to denounce the serious consequences of tourism. The message is clear: the growth of this touristic model has exceeded all limits and, in view of this, it is essential to take measures in favour of touristic decline.”

The organisation’s manifesto reads: “The people of Donostia, have little to celebrate. In fact, for a few this industry is the hen that lays the golden eggs, but for the majority, it is just an economic model that is suffocating us.

“Beyond the overcrowding of the streets in the most touristic neighbourhoods, the high cost of living, the expulsion of residents, the utilization of leisure, the violation of the right to housing, etc. are structural problems that are invisible at first glance and are widespread in all neighbourhoods.”