Is anybody avoiding booking holidays to Spain due to the demonstrations?

Jusr back from a business trip east of Madrid in Torrejon. The whole time i was there everybody was really friendly and welcoming.
Although wasn't in an all inclusive benidorm/mallorca environment

Its probably a family home if its in a village and next door, inherited and the family are renting it out while they try to sell it/split it. Inheritance laws are crazy here concerning property. Everyone in the family has a share by law. She would not have a second home next door. (IME)

This is a problem and why you see so many derelict and abandoned houses in the rural bits.

It would be a very expensive long-term rental. It wouldn't appeal to a big audience if that makes sense. I have a feeling this just wouldn't be an option for the owner, who lives in the other side of the house. It is like two large houses together. I think as well, the owner does use the house inbetween guests, and at times makes it unavailable, so again the other scenario wouldn't work (I don't think).

Try crossing form Gibraltar to Spain, the Spanish are so rude and keep you waiting for no reason.

I've been in Málaga and Mallorca in the last couple of months, and both times we felt perfectly welcome - no issues at all. The media have blown it all out of proportion.

Agree there are two many tourists for the island size, but maybe the demonstrators should be targeting the holiday companies as well and stopping them from using their hotels and accommodation? They are as much to blame too.

I kind of see what you’re saying. Though whilst the motives may differ, the outcome remains the same whether the intent is to heed those protesting and not go or whether you say ‘fine, you don’t want me, I won’t go’ and not go. So irrespective of motive, it is what the protesters desire.

It’s a tricky issue because as always different groups have different needs and objectives. Those protesting are legitimately concerned about housing. Whilst others such as restauranteurs may be concerned about adverse publicity driving away tourists. Though it’s doubtful places like Barcelona have to worry too much about the latter. It’s really up to govt to put in measures to help.

To be fair, Spanish owners like this are also part of the problem - she's choosing to rent out her second home as an Airbnb rather than a long term home. This is probably for very rational reasons for her individually (better returns, none of the risks that come with longer term rentals in Spain), but it is one less home available for locals.

However, I agree that the poster is extremely important unlikely to experience any problems. The protests are a sign of big problems in the Spanish tourism economy, but a few incidents have been overblown in the media.

Partly because I don't want to go where I'm not wanted and partly because I'm not willing to give my money to a system that doesn't want me.

I'm with you on this one.

I was a bit disappointed with Granada. It is pretty, but not as much as I had been expecting.

One way for Spain is to ban all inclusive hotels as majority of holidaymakers who go to these places spend zilch in places including places like waterparks. Probably only buy a bottle of water past security on the way home.

There's more to Spain than the Costas and islands. Visit a large city - Seville, Valencia, Granada and they are beautiful.

I call area outside Costas and islands as proper Spain.

I am booked to go to Palma in August already. I am not worried as such, but probably won’t again as so many other places to holiday. I wouldn’t select places where there are anti tourist demonstrations again. Airbnb is not legal on Majorca, so we always stay in hotel or aparthotels.

I am not British and I notice a huge difference when I go on holiday with my family and speak English or with my friends home and don’t speak English in 2 countries - Spain and France. This is not new.

@the80sweregreat there are too many tourists for their size. They do need a reduction.

We’re in Sitges at the moment, have a really nice time as we usually would. For the first time in a very long time I wasn’t ‘randomly’ selected for an interview with all the other brown men with beards.

Yes, I am. I’m rethinking the whole tourist thing actually. Already don’t go to destination places (eg we go to France, or Wales, but right out in the sticks). Barcelona or Majorca isn’t getting my holiday custom anyway because too busy and too hot, but it definitely makes me more determined to be as mindful and considerate as possible about taking holidays away from home.

I’m about to book flights to Barcelona in September, actually to stay with friends who are there for 3 months for work and so have a short term lease 😬

ah well, it’s not something I can see myself getting stressed about tbh, not if it’s just a bit of shouting/water.

i do sympathise with their cause though

It is not anti British. It is very like the Cornwall situation PP is right. (Not if it is a local person renting out next door though!)

Loads of people from Madrid where I live,loads, they have bought up the local flats on the beach and come down for the whole summer.

Yes. Mostly Germans are buying up in my town. No British people (since EU regs)

From what I can gather from the news, it's also a demonstration about the lack of houses and jobs for the local people and their children,
but surely if tourism goes completely, that will only make things worse for those who work in hospitality?
They do levy a tourist tax in the hotels which must help a bit , but things like having enough water must be a worry.
I know it's probably more complex than this, but it feels a bit cutting off your nose to spite your face if it makes people go elsewhere. Although I know that many areas don't like tourists.
Not sure what the answer is really and I can imagine some places are fed up with rowdy people from other countries ( it's not always 'the Brits 'either.)

Part of this isn't just about tourists and airbnb etc- part is about non locals buying up property that used to be rented out to locals- or even bought by locals and knocking it down and building big glass scandi style boxes- this def isn't all about the British- it's actually mainly Germans and Scandinavians buying up the property - particularly in Majorca- an expat German who has been out there years was explaining this to me - similar situation to what we have in UK in places like Cornwall etc

Oh good! I might find some last minute bargains.

Us too.

I love Spain but I only stay in Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts places. I avoid all inclusive places. I tend to avoid the big tourist resorts as I want to experience Spain rather than Btits on holiday. Never had any problems in the cities either. Just back from Seville with friends

I have found Cornwall can be rather anti tourist as they experience the same problems with accommodation.

The last twice I took visitors into London they were terrified of the demonstrations.