Irish publicans in Tenerife are breathing a sigh of relief as it’s back to business as usual following weeks of major tourism protests across the Canary Islands. Thousands of locals from the Canary Islands took to the streets last month to protest, demanding that “tourists go home”.
The islands, a popular holiday destination for Irish and British sun-seekers, were thrown into chaos as anti-tourist sentiments ran high. However, it seems that the Irish expats in Tenerife are not feeling the effects as business is thriving with the onset of the summer months.
Tourists had been in a panic, unsure whether to cancel their travel plans after the protests in April. But according to Gerry Higgins of The Claddagh Irish Music Bar, there have been no more protests planned since the infamous one on April 20.
The Canary Islands government has taken the protesters’ message on board and proposed a small fee for tourists visiting natural spaces on the island for upkeep and improvements. Despite this, the number of tourists coming to Tenerife remains unaffected.
Fergal Flaherty of the Hole In The Wall in Tenerife echoed Gerry’s sentiments, stating that the situation has calmed down and tourists have not experienced any disruptions. The Canary Tourist Board reported a significant growth in the tourism industry, generating €19.5 million in 2023.
With tensions easing and tourists continuing to flock to Tenerife, it seems that the Irish bars on the island are back in full swing, ready to welcome visitors with open arms.