To be surprised Tenerife is overrun with tourists?

[Whenwillitgetwarm]

Have seen in the news that there are mass protests in Tenerife against tourists. There’s lots of graffiti on walls telling tourists to ‘get out!’ etc.

Personally I’m surprised it’s such a popular destination given how awful the place is.

It is hands down the worst place I’ve ever been in my life. I went over 20 years ago. Never again. The locals were the rudest people I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting. There were lots of high rise hotels, the beaches weren’t nice. However, it’s the attitude of the locals towards tourists even back then that made me vow never go back. Tourists were treated like barely tolerated cash machines.

If you want winter sun, I recommend Cape Verde.

Just goes to show we’re all different doesn’t it. Been to Tenerife plenty of times for a bit of winter sun and really enjoyed it.
Loved the people in Cape Verde but overall didn’t enjoy my experience of the place so wouldn’t go back.

Perhaps the rude locals were refecting your behaviour.

Going to Tenerife 20 years ago and judging it by one experience - it sounds like you were in a popular, “English breakfast” type resort - is like someone coming to the UK for a week in Blackpool and 20 years later saying the UK is an awful place - why would anyone want to go there?

If you want the full cultural destination experience you need to look beyond this type of resort and other posters have suggested some gorgeous parts of the island where you can avoid mass tourism.

(Also, sweeping generalisations never look good.)

Frankly, I'd rather let Boris Johnson have a bowel movement on my face than go on holiday somewhere that's infested with pissed-up Brits.

Just back from a week in the Gran Melia, it was lovely.

Don’t think it was built 20 years ago. Things do change, OP

You clearly went to the wrong place!!!!

I lived in a beautiful village in Tenerife for 8 years before returning 18 years ago.

They are parts I'd avoid now and did mostly back then. But you can't blame the tourists for taking what's on offer to them.

There issue isn't actually the tourists anyway. It's the fact that all the locals are priced out due to air b and b etc.

Exactly what resident's from seaside tourist towns in the UK (rightly) have an issue with.

The protests aren't against the hotel staying tourists but more about Air B&B and lack of homes for locals as they keep getting bought to be turned into holiday rentals much like any coastal areas around Europe / World where life and employment were already seasonal and the house prices have now pushed local people out but I guess there is less housing available and less land available to build on for residential housing on an island like Tenerife.

Nobody goes there anymore. Its too crowded.

I went last year for 5 days - my birthday treat - loved it so much I am going back in July with my youngest DD.

It's a beautiful place - I found the locals to be friendly - nice food, nice walks and sun.

Yes, like many many holidays spots it has bit's that are grubby or not to everyone's taste, I mean I grew up in depressed northern seaside town - but for a sun, food, water sport, shopping holiday - which my teen loves - it's perfect.

It’s the arsehole of the world!

I agree. Went last year and was pleasantly surprised that the weather was not too hot. It was windy. Stayed in a lovely hotel in Costa adeje and LOVED siam park. Quite liked meals out in la caletta but it was very pricey to eat out. More reasonable in playa de Las Americas.

My heart sank when we flew over to land. You can see barren landscapes and loads of warehouses. The coast is built up with tourist places. There are no nice old towns like you get in mainland Europe and its a cultural desert. Walking around the coast its been landscaped in places buy just seems characterless.

I'm not rushing back.

I love it there. A family member went there recently and had a great time, no hostility at all.
There have been comments in the Canarian press that the "tourists go home" mob are a very small minority. The Canaries rely heavily on income from tourism so they're not going to ban us any time soon.

No nice old towns?

I can only assume you missed the capital, Santa Cruz which is known for its beautiful, colourful old town, some amazing architecture, lots of lush greenery and loads of brilliant cultural activities and events (including a carnival which has been recognised by UNESCO).

Cape Verde is really horrible!! I prefer lanzarote to tenerife, it's just so relaxed and easy. Very very easy to drive there and a private villa with pool is affordable.

The flight to the Canaries isn't that short, Spain is shorter and so much more to explore. But if you want a holiday on a plate with coaches, hotels etc well - it's going to be touristy!!!

How is it crowded if nobody goes there any more?

WTAF?!!!! What on earth possesses people to think this is even remotely acceptable!

Fabulous place for some winter sun without going long haul.

Sitting in the sunshine in January in shorts, mid 20s temperature, eating tapas and drinking sangria looking out to sea … whilst at home it’s freezing and/or wet and dark at 4pm.

And you think that there's no possibility that it might have changed, you know like England in 2024 bears no realtion to England in 1984?

I went 10 years ago to the North, went back the year after and stayed in thr south (Los cris) and apart from covid, we go most years. It's cheap, cheerful and fun. There's not much culture but tbh we don't go on holiday for culture. The beaches are clean and well maintained, food and drink varies from a couple of euros for a breakfast up to whatever you want to pay, tourists seem very welcome. My kids have always loved it, dh likes it because it's not too posh and the weather is always good.

Personally I'd hate a holiday traipsing around for culture, whatever that is. I want to switch off, sit by a pool or on a beach, get slightly pissed by 4pm and have a siesta then go back out for something to eat and to people watch. I want to read a few books, stay in bed late, buy tat from tourist shops and that's it. Each to their own.

This makes no sense 🤣

It's a joke, usually ascribed to Yogi Berra (who was a real person, yes).

I thought the protests were about second home ownership as it means the local young people can’t afford housing rather than tourists in general

Tenerife is lovely, have you been all round the island?
Had many a happy holiday there.
The protests have been hypermarket up by the media know someone that lives there.
Don't believe everything you see. Just because you've seen something on the news dosent mean your right.

Went a few months ago, I liked it. It's so easy, under 4 hours from my local airport, reasonable prices 4 star hotels, plenty of reasonably priced activities... what's not to like for a quick break for £500 a head

The reasons why Brits say they don't want to go to Tenerife, Benidorm, Toremolinos etc are the very reasons the locals want tourism to end, and I can't say as I blame them.