Tenerife told to get rid of UK tourists wearing popular item on beach as tensions escalate

Tensions are mounting in Tenerife as UK holidaymakers, particularly those donning 'flip flops', face increasing scrutiny.

Amidst local protests against British tourists, opera sensation Ainhoa Arteta has called for a move towards more "cultural" tourism after residents expressed dissatisfaction with the type of visitors they're receiving.

Discussing the state of opera in Spain, the Basque-born singer, aged 59, lamented to Diario de Mallorca: "Not at all. Spain is a cainite country, it's not a country that helps its singers and musicians."

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"And it's a shame because we have truly talented singers. If this country exploited its cultural-historical patrimony and accompanied it in all our theatres and auditoriums with ambitious programmes, we would attract cultural and not flip-flop tourism."

Arteta urged: "The Ministry of Tourism and Culture should act together and we should be conscious there's culture around the country, not just in two cities.", reports the Mirror.

Previously, Brits on the Canary Islands have been criticised by locals for engaging in excessive drinking and settling for low-quality food. The specific mention of flip flops stems from Article 17 of Spain's General Traffic Regulations, which requires that "drivers must be in a position to control their vehicles at all times".

The Guardia Civil has made it clear, stating: "It is not specifically forbidden to drive with flip-flops, but you can be penalised for not being able to maintain freedom of movement to control the pedals well."

For some time, there's been a push for a more selective approach to tourism in Tenerife, as reported by BirminghamLive.

Earlier this year, 39 year old school teacher Zarita Chinea shared her thoughts with MailOnline: "It's like there are two worlds in Tenerife, the tourists and the locals, and we don't mix. If I was in power I would try to reduce the number of holidaymakers - there have been so many more in the past year and it is noticeable. I also think we need better quality tourists, who respect our land and nature, who want to explore the real Tenerife and go hiking for example."

Yet, President Fernando Clavijo voiced his concerns, saying: "We are worried because tourism is our main source of income and I think that whoever comes here to enjoy, to spend a few days and to leave their money in the Canary Islands, shouldn't be rebuked or face insults. We can talk and analyse things to try to improve them but what we can't do is attack our principal source of income and wealth because it would be totally irresponsible - what we need here is common sense and tranquility. Never should there be attacks on an economic activity that puts food on the plate of most people living in the Canary Islands."