UK tourists will 'stand up' to Tenerife after being told to 'cancel holidays'

Tenerife has been warned UK tourists will be "standing up" to angry protests - by booking more holidays than ever. The Canary Islands are expecting a 77 per cent increase in UK tourists in the first nine months of 2025 and Tenerfie accounts for 45 per cent.

Dimple Melwani, CEO of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation denied the island was suffering from overtourism, insisting that protestors are not blaming tourists but “seeking a change in the tourism model”. Dimple spoke out in the wake of angry protests over "overtourism" in the Canary Islands.

She told Travel Gossip: “We do not support the radical actions of some minority groups who reject visitors, as tourists are not the cause of the problems. The Canary Islands do not suffer from tourist overcrowding like other Mediterranean destinations.”

READ MORE:Tenerife announces new ban impacting UK tourists 'starting January 2025'

READ MORE:UK tourists heading to Canary Islands for winter sun sent urgent health alert

READ MORE Met Office issues three-word update over snow battering UK within days

She added that Tenerife aims to become a “quality” destination, offering “first class” services to attract higher-spending visitors. Ms Melwani said: “We are committed to improving our tourism offer, focusing on quality and optimising the destination’s tourism spaces.

“In this regard, we will continue with the rehabilitation of the hotel infrastructure to ensure that our services meet the highest standards of excellence,” she said. "In addition, we will continue to develop our current initiatives, which will be decisive for the future.

“We will update the marketing plan, identifying and rejuvenating traveller profiles, so that they can enjoy the island as a destination for outdoor sporting activities, gastronomy or traditions: a destination in which to live an infinite number of unique experiences.”

Bosses at Jet2 have said its expanded flight list for next year - which includes flights to Spain from the UK, particularly the Canaries - has been launched from multiple British airports including Birmingham and is in response to “strong demand” from holidaymakers.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said the 2026 programme promises to be his company’s best yet and added he has “every confidence it will be a huge success”.