UK tourists 'deliberating' cancelling Spain holidays after worrying warning

European Union hotspot Spain remains the top tourist overseas destination for UK tourists but anti-tourism demonstrations are sweeping the country and its islands.

A holiday warning has been issued as anti-tourism protests continue to plague cities in Spain. European Union hotspot Spain remains the top tourist overseas destination for UK tourists but anti-tourism demonstrations are sweeping the country and its islands.

Protesters in Majorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Barcelona have held aloft antisocial banners saying "tourists go home". Jet2 boss Steve Heapy said: "We've had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like 'is Spain safe', 'are we still welcome in the resort'."

He added: "It is becoming a big issue unfortunately, and perception becomes truth." Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London Manuel Butler said: "It is important to distinguish between specific local tensions and the broader national picture.

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"The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists." He warned the protests are triggered by "broader societal issues", including "housing pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental strain in high-density areas".

He says Spain will introduce "legislation on short-term rentals, tourism taxes in certain regions, and more comprehensive destination management". Meanwhile, Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sanchez Grau said: "We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors.

"It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future." In reply, a Brit fumed: "The lefty government have to blame someone and our PM has put the country on a pedestal to be abused daily.

"Why are people still going to Spain? It had it's day years ago." A second said: "I think you are right. We were just deliberating about booking a repeat visit to our favourite Spanish haunt - no longer - we shall be looking elsewhere.

"They don't deserve our business. They really are shooting themselves in the foot and risking damaging a major part of their economy. Foolish, I say." Another said: "Leave them with thousands of unfilled hotels and hotels partially built.

"Not to mention loss in Spanish jobs, hotels, catering, shops etc..I will not be back to Spain now. Bring our expats home to Britain."