UK tourists cancel Spain holidays and Greece, Turkey, Italy visitors may have to too

UK tourists have been issued new guidance over whether they need to cancel Spain holidays amid growing resentment and tension. Travel writer Ash Bhardwaj joined Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones on BBC ’s Morning Live on Monday to share an expert view on the unrest and whether Brits will be safe going forward with their holiday plans.

Ash assured viewers that the “vast majority of us are going to have lovely summer holidays” and insisted the protests are “not something to worry about”. Speaking about the protests, Ash said: “It’s only lasting a day or two. It’s not unsafe."

The demonstrations do not count as “civil unrest," he added. He told Strictly Come Dancing star Helen and co-host Gethin: “What it is, is a reminder for all of us to keep in touch with what’s going on in the places that we’re travelling to.”

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He added, in a warning for those heading abroad to Greece, Turkey and Italy: “We’re entering wildfire season, which peaks in July and August, and some of these places are seeing temperatures that peak at over 50 degrees Celsius. As a place gets drier and hotter, you’re more likely to get wildfires.

“Over the last five years, 13 per cent of travel insurance claims have been evacuations or related to natural disasters, so this is something that can affect your travel.” Spain's Balearic Islands - which also include Ibiza and Menorca - are desperately trying to clamp down on boozy Brits amid the heated protests, which are set to carry on through the summer.

Officials have hiked up fines for drinking in the street, taking off clothing and have banned shops from selling alcohol at night. Anyone breaking the rules could be fined up to €1,500 (£1,350).

Just last week, members of the public protested at the Calo des Moro beach outside Santanyi, Majorca, Spain on June 16 2024.