PRO-tourism demonstrations have been taking place in Lanzarote as the island fights back against anti-tourist loons.
The founder of a movement in favour of holidaymakers on the island praised the “beautiful” scenes as hundreds of counter-protestors joined a march in Puerto del Carmen, just miles from capital Arrecife.
Lanzarote loves TourismA pro-tourism march was held in Lanzarote, Spain[/caption]
Lanzarote loves TourismA group has fought against anti-tourism loons[/caption]
Lanzarote loves TourismThe pro-visitor march was held on the same day as a protest against holidaymakers[/caption]
Lanzarote loves TourismThe movement ‘cuidemos el turismo’ had led the march[/caption]
Augusto Ferreira, 34, the leader of the movement Cuidemos El Turismo, which roughly translates to “let’s take care of tourism,” applauded the people who came out with him on Sunday.
Business owners, workers and holidaymakers joined the two-hour counter-protest in the popular tourist town, each sporting a t-shirt adorned with the slogan “Lanzarote loves tourism.”
Augusto started the movement just three weeks ago after seeing continued rallies against tourism across the Canary Islands.
The restaurant owner told the Sun: “The march was a really beautiful moment, with tourists and natives walking together, side by side.
“We have had so much support from business owners and workers across the island, we just can’t understand the protests against tourists.”
He explained why visitors have been so important to the island.
“These people have to remember back to the days of Covid, on the island we had no tourists and we had nothing.
“People love travelling here and we love them coming here too. We don’t just want them here, we need them.”
The pro-tourism protest took place on the same day as anti-tourism groups stormed beaches and terrorised holiday-goers in Tenerife.
Augusto said the group was looking to create an association as part of the next steps, as well as introducing a national tourism day to celebrate the benefits it brings to the island.
He continued: “In three weeks we have produced all of these t-shirts, we have large crowds and it’s just the beginning.
“We have so much planned for the future. I’m so excited for what we can do next.
“We knew we had to do something after seeing all these negative messages on foreign news channels – it’s just so sad to see.
Augusto put out a message to comfort foreigners looking to visit the island.
“Let me assure everyone, there is no truth there – we absolutely love tourists.”
This has come as protests have spread across the Spanish mainland and islands.
Terrified British holidaymakers have shared their experiences of being trapped in a hotel by these demonstrators.
Thousands of anti-tourism zealots swarmed resorts in the Canary Islands on Sunday, The Sun previously reported.
AFPProtests against tourism had taken place across several Spanish holiday hotspots, including Tenerife[/caption]
GettyProtests have also taken place in major cities including Barcelona[/caption]
Hundreds gathered in Gran Canaria with signs that read “Go Home Tourists.”
Holidaymaker Lee Pattemore, 44, was trapped inside the Riu hotel with wife Stacey, 39, and their two daughters, aged 11 and six.
He told The Sun: “They were circling the hotel. My daughter was asking me, ‘Daddy, why are they shouting?’”
Other protesters in Ibiza have warned of a summer of “surprise actions” as they also threatened to spark a movement.
AlamyAnti-tourism graffiti has appeared in Barcelona[/caption]
AlamySome locals in the Canary Islands have called for a freeze on tourist numbers[/caption]