Despite many anti-tourism protests across Spain, during which Brits were told to ‘go home’, plenty now want us to return to the sun-soaked nation to help boost their ailing economy
Sheepish Spaniards who yelled ‘adios’ at British tourists last summer in angry protests are now begging us to come back because they want our cash.
Locals squirted holidaymakers away with water pistols and held fiery confrontations on beaches across Spain, Mallorca and the Canary Islands.
But now research from holiday firm On the Beach reveals almost 80% have no problem with UK sunseekers and only 7% don’t want us in their country.
Nearly half fear their own bars, hotels and shops have suffered because of the protests and a massive 85% say Spain’s economy relies on tourism.
Zoe Harris, of the company, said: “The message from Spain is loud and clear, Spain needs tourists, Spain wants tourists.
“Those taking part in the tourism protests are in the minority.”
She added: “Brits are vital to the communities and businesses that rely on tourism.”
Almost two-thirds of Spaniards say they’re fed up with short-term rentals like Airbnb pushing up rents and leaving locals priced out.
On the Beach said their research proves the “frustration seen on the streets isn’t directed at holidaymakers” but at the Spanish government.
Ms Harris added: “Tourism is not the enemy and communities across Spain and the Canary Islands want to welcome Brits with open arms.”
Spain remains a popular holiday hotspot, although Turkey has now nudged past the Canaries as the UK’s number one destination.
Spain’s own holiday chiefs fear the ugly protests against visitors could have wrecked the £100bn-a-year tourism industry.
They saw locals spray water pistols at tourists who were dining in restaurants while shouting “tourists go home”, and others closed off beaches and refused to let visitors sunbathe.
During their peak last summer, Jorge Marichal, head of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, said the activists were “not very intelligent”.
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