It's not the fault of tourists if Spain doesn't build enough social housing is it. Spain was quite happy to build tourist accommodation, holiday apartments etc etc. These constructions provided work for Spaniards, profits for the Spanish developers and material suppliers and sometimes back handers for the corrupt local politicians and officials who granted the permissions. I also recall the Spanish tourist authorities and businesses during covid pleading with their government to lift the restrictions specifically on British tourists as they were losing so much money from us. Admittedly some of the British tourists are embarrassing scumbags but be careful what you wish for.

Ай бұрын

It's not the fault of tourists, and believe me many spaniards are aware of the problems with the current policy. But it's also true that many spanish cities seem to have unlimited demand for housing, so even if we built like crazy, that wouldn't be enough. So something has to be done borth for demand and supply. Some of us are pushing for that but turns out the tourism industry is hard to beat. On the other side, there's quite a lot of people coming here with an attitude, both tourists and "expats" that isn't really helping. I'm not talking about "integrating", I'm talking about de zero fucks given to the surroundings, the comments when spaniards do not want to befriend foreginers (we have our lifes and problems, turns out that's no excuse) or are not super friendly, as if I wasn't someone with a life here but a worker of this giant theme park called Spain. Honestly it is so tiring. There are so many foreigners acting like this, making everything feel transactional, making comments because you have fucking life going on, and you just want to go to work or hop on the bus without having to battle with loads of disoriented people, and so on. People that work in the tourism industry may want to deal with it, but there are many of us that don't, and we see or lifes in our cities steamrolled and honestly It makes you want to get out. You go on with all of this, and then you go on to the internet to be lectured on how xenophobic, racist, close-minded, unfriendly you are. I used to go to meetups and help foreigners settle but not anymore. I just, I don't know, I don't have the mental energy to deal with this anymore. I've got an Italian gf and a couple of friends from Italy and Taiwan after so many years. Way better than most of my spanish friends, that got absolutely nothing positive out of it. Not even jobs ffs. eh, I'm sorry if I'm not super cheerful.

Many aspects of the economy in the Canary Islands are so systemically broken to the point where I don’t think that it can be fixed - for example: 1. Transport is massively subsidised for residents of the islands: 75% for inter-island travel and between the islands and the mainland. This means that ticket prices are massively inflated for anyone coming from mainland Spain or tourists wishing to travel between the islands. There is no island-hopping tourism in the Canaries as a direct effect of this. Buses are now free for workers on the islands - this is essentially a subsidy from the tax payer to allow hotels to pay low wages. 2. The level of sick leave is at a chronic level in the islands: 61,000 employed people in the Canaries did not show up for a single day’s work in 2023. While many abuse the ease of getting sick leave (baja) from their doctor, this, in turn, results in the remaining staff being constantly overworked due to short-staffing, and then becoming genuinely injured themselves and adding further to the problem. And while larger businesses can just about cope with the high levels of sick-leave, this is disastrous for any small business. I see so many small businesses giving up because it’s just not worth the stress to employ people. 3. The islands need higher wages, however the current big hotel model simply cannot pay more. At the end of the day, the majority of visitors staying all-inclusive or half board in a big hotel simply do not care if they are in Tunisia, Turkey, Egypt or the Canaries. They just want a week of sea and sunshine, and the competing destinations are poorer with much lower wages and little or no worker protection. Despite this, politicians in the islands do not see beyond the obsolete tour operator model, and there is very little effort to diversify. 4. Local Government is incredibly wasteful: there are plenty of examples of Cabildos and local councils suing each other wasting tax payer’s money (but keeping the lawyer class in work). Why do these islands need councils and cabildos at all? Surely one council for each island would be more efficient and better able to provide urban planning (something that has been paralysed for years by the competing interests of cabildos and ayuntamientos). 5. While there is a big campaign to blame Viviendas Vacacionales for the current housing shortage, it needs to be pointed out that there are huge numbers of empty commercial units everywhere - many empty for over decade! There are also abandoned hotels everywhere. Why aren’t these being converted into residential units. 6. Though a Spain-wide issue, it is so difficult to evict a non-paying tenant, that landlords prefer to actually earn less by renting in the over-saturated Vivienda Vacacional market. Many point to ‘greedy’ landlords pushing residents out in favour of the ‘more lucrative’ holiday lets, but from what I’ve seen, many holiday lets have very low occupancy. There are many stories of violence between landlords and non-paying tenants - lethal in some cases. 7. Why are the islands outside the EU customs and VAT area? This only serves to protect the interests of a tiny group of companies and amplify the effects of the island’s geographical isolation. That’s just off the top of my head - I’m sure there are many more examples.

@elischubert8833

Ай бұрын

Congrats, you hit the nail on the head. Some who lived all their lives in Canary Islands, say that ship has sailed and it's impossible to fix the turism model.

I recently returned from Tenerife where I stayed in a quiet resort. Whilst I didn't see any demonstrations or graffiti I did come across other problems where I was simply ignored in a bar or cafe as if I was invisible. When I asked for something it happened a few times where the waiter/waitress would simply put the flat of their hand rudely in my face and walk away, this was mainly the younger generation of staff. I have a good knowledge of Spanish and like to go four or five times a year to keep it up, I am having a serious rethink. This is not just a Tenerife problem it happened last year in Benalmadena where I was about to ask a waitress a question and again got the flat hand in my face - so rude. She went back over to talk to her friend and in Spanish said the effect of THE BLOOD ENGLISH. I heard of this happening a few times from others who said they would not return to Spain

@MookMineola

Ай бұрын

Absolutely does not happen in Mexico : extraordinarily nice people, safe , and delightful to visit . Siempre feliz en México

@Missydee-72

Ай бұрын

We experienced similar behaviour in Spain when the locals were sulking over incomers using their own builders. An ex pat explained that, when they tried to use locals, they didn’t turn up and were a nightmare of incompetence. We ordered meals for ourselves and our three hungry young children. After 45 minutes, and other diners being served who arrived after us whilst we were ignored, we walked out. Suddenly our food was ready but too late! Our last holiday was on Cape Verde where the staff were extremely friendly and went out of their way to help. From management to ground staff. At one time we went to the Canaries Islands two or three times most years but have no intention of returning. Talking to restaurant owners and staff it seems that many other nationalities bring their own food with them or buy from supermarkets. If they do buy a coffee or a beer, it’s just one and they sit nursing it for hours. It’s the British who treat themselves to meals out and stop for coffees etc. and are far more likely to spend their cash to the benefit of the local population. We’ve also seen inebriated young people from many different countries, normally celebrating exam results etc. Perhaps stop offering gallons of cheap booze would help resolve the issue.

@davidharland2194

Ай бұрын

@@Missydee-72 So sad; I really like Spain but the "Hand in the Face" was simply rude and aggressive.

Our money can be spent anywhere,if we're unwelcome we will go elsewhere.

We usually go to Tenerife or Gran Canaria each winter or spring but gave it a miss this year due to the protests. We are currently looking at Turkey, Greece or Croatia for our 2024 winter break. I can't see us coming back....

El Salvador and Nicaragua? How, in the name of God did those two countries get ranked so high in that standard of living/ happiness list? Those 2 countries, along with Honduras, Venezuela, & Columbia are the highest producers of immigrants coming into the US. And other countries like Spain as well. Poverty & horrible gang violence running rampant there from what I've heard. Scratching my head about that one.

@jp13119

Ай бұрын

It kinda makes you question the pollsters. Because El Salvador, really?

@TheRealJoseramirez

Ай бұрын

Yes, it really does make you scratch your head. Why in God's name, would any person of sound mind want to move to the US? Been twice - not as a tourist - never, ever again.

@FlamencoOz

Ай бұрын

El Salvador has become tremendously safe in the last few years. Maybe you should learn what’s been going on over there.

@harriettt9857

Ай бұрын

⁠@@TheRealJoseramireznever been there and never want to visit it . Have sisters who live there but No thanks for me . US I mean.

@maskedavenger2578

Ай бұрын

El Salvador has got a Presidente with guts ,who has cut out corruption & hunting down & locking up all the homicidal gangs . He is also spending the money on new infrastructure ,education & many projects to benefit his population ,& also encouraging tourism . El Salvador due to his policies & strong leadership ,has virtually gone from being the murder capital in the world to one of the safest places to live & visit ,in a very short space of time .

Tourism drama is a myth. We reside equal between the uk and fuerteventura. Canary Islands especially rely on tourism. Housing/accommodation is a missive problem with locals priced out of the housing market. Many wages are low and based on a service sector wage. Property is extortionate to buy or rent. There's also a big supply and demand issue forcing prices up above their realistic value. Even Spanish owners of property would rather rent the property out to tourists than locals for a better return. Many properties are rented out without permission/licence from the authorities. I'm sure that now new builds have to be lived in by the owners for several years before they can be rented. Apparently some of the unfinished old skeleton structures maybe earmarked as a cheap development for locals. One factor to be considered is that the British tend to buy properties more often than other EU countries and this maybe a factor as they don't mind going into debt for a property. Bit of a catch 22 situation as one can't survive without the other. Demonstrations in lanzarote were aimed at the government. Gotta be careful with the uk media stiring things. Don't forget many mainland Spanish people use the canary Islands for tourism. Without tourism there is no service industry.

I’ve just returned to Oz from Spain, where I spent a month touring Andalusia on my own. I never encountered any hostility. I always spoke a few words of Spanish to begin a conversation in a bar or hotel, and they always replied in English when they realised we would understand each other better that way. 10:33

It's always good to watch your videos, Stuart. For sure I think Spain is one of the best countries in many ways. Thank you

Yeah, I felt people were happier in Spain than here in Australia when I lived in Madrid. Sure, they had pressures like we all do but they seem to enjoy life more in spite of them and we made some amazing friends. Coming back to Sydney it took quite a while to adjust to the lower levels of positive and friendly energy though we have tried to bring more of that Spanish socialness to our circle of friends here. I think our retirement will be partly in Spain once our kids are old enough to make their own way.

@joseantoniodavila2752

Ай бұрын

Also, you have Vanuatu right there

Over-tourism is a problem in many places, not just Spain. Post pandemic travel and tourism just exploded due to pent-up demand. Many popular places are just becoming too crowded to enjoy. Venice is a good example, they had to restrict cruise ships because of too many people. Housing is an issue for the government, both national and local. There might have to be a move toward restricting the conversion of housing to tourist use through Airbnb and VRBO. The allure of conversion is very tempting. As a landlord, which would you rather receive, €120 per day with Airbnb or €1000 per month on a long term rental? It is not necessarily greed, but for many just economic sense. There will be an outcry from those that are making the money as a violation of their right to do with their private property as the see fit. Low to median income housing, with restrictions of use, would be an obvious choice, but how to pay for it is an issue. No matter what happens there will be unhappy people, but the general public good has to come first.

First time seeing your video . Very interesting,well filmed and edited. Good information,direct and to the point . Keep going .

Gran Canaria seams the same as the last 20years we still love and enjoy the people we know and the places we go to. Just started two weeks leave, we are both self employed a cleaner and gardener we save all year for our one holiday in sunshine. Only governments seam to make anything harder in life. Phil and Louise

I don’t understand why the media keep presenting the problem of over-tourism as a war between locals and tourists. Locals never complained about tourism before because it wasn’t an issue. Now, it has become a problem because it’s excessive and out of control. This over-tourism stresses local infrastructure and natural resources. The heavy influx of tourists contributes to environmental degradation, including water scarcity, waste management challenges, and threats to biodiversity. A significant portion of the residential properties is being converted into vacation rentals, driven by the lucrative returns from short-term tourist rentals. Equity firms and investment funds buying real estate in the Canary Islands have had a considerable impact on the local housing market and broader community dynamics. By purchasing significant amounts of real estate, these firms have contributed to increasing property prices. Their investments often target properties that can be converted into vacation rentals or luxury housing, which are more profitable but less accessible to locals. This inflates prices and makes housing less affordable for the resident population and reduces the availability of long-term rentals for locals, contributing to a housing shortage and further driving up rental prices. In their search for clicks, the media are creating a war-like environment when the only thing locals are asking for is sustainable tourism.

For every article saying one country is better etc there is always another survey to say somewhere else. I read on the other day which said London was the best city to visit in the world! I like London to visit (not to live) but im not sure its the best to visit!

Correct me if I am wrong but the Canaries does not have any industries at least none of significant magnitude neither does it survive on financial services, so the only thing that place survives on is tourism. SO why blame or protest against the tourist, the locals should be protesting against the government to provide affordable housing and they better realise soon that without tourists they will have no income whatsover. As they say don't bite the hand that feeds you!

@bhamilton1131

Ай бұрын

As a long time resident in Canaries l totally agree with you! They have short memories & many have become wealthy from selling their land for development... you can't shut the stable door once the horse has bolted & ESPECIALLY if there would be nothing to feed it!

I did an online full board package holiday search for 1 week in July for a couple. Spain was not the cheapest. Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria offered better value for the same standard of accommodation. And for families, the beaches are safer to swim in for children down the Eastern end of the Med than Spain. The Canary islands are beautiful but the Atlantic can make waves and currents more challenging for swimmers.

I went to Lanzarote for a week last year and loved it, found it very friendly. But I understand the hostility too - a whole seafront full of British and Irish restaurants…….

@TheRealJoseramirez

Ай бұрын

Yes, that is awful.

@davidholgate123

Ай бұрын

Does that mean we're also allowed in the UK to be hostile about our streets being taken over by chicken shops, kebab takeaways and Turkish barbers or is it only a one way street?

@NoeliaRuiz-ls8yw

Ай бұрын

​@@davidholgate123 Actually, you are hostile. Anyway, in that case Turkish are taking over your land, nothing to do with Spain.

We normally take 3 holidays a year to canary islands. We work it out for accommodation food night out ,for 3 holidays we spend about 18.000 thousand A year. We just cancelled our holiday an booked greece/ and mexico. If Spanish people don't want us there an don't want our money, then that fine with us.

Excellent video Stu thanks 🙏

The Happy Planet Index was started in 2006 by the New Economics Foundation. _The New Economics Foundation (NEF) is a British think-tank that promotes "social, economic and environmental justice"_ ... _The index is weighted to give progressively higher scores to nations with lower ecological footprints._ So, basically, its ...use less carbon and be happy. And I wonder who's pushing _that_ agenda? Not so far from "You will own nothing and be happy" is it?

Money Greed, big corperations don't care about ordinary people, It's not only Spain and the Islands. I live in Scotand and every time its tourist time ( Summer months ) more litter and rubbish thrown around on the roads in the town in the fields etc, Ordinary people need jobs and homes for their family but now people are just cash cows big time. Also lest we forget, there is a massive Ressesion no one wants to talk about. Lets hope we can get through this night mare, PEACE and Kindness ( and enough food to eat )

Los huevos de la gallina de Oro, se los comen las cadenas hoteleras internacionales en Canarias.

@TheRealJoseramirez

Ай бұрын

Never a truer word was spoken. It's the same the world over. If the tourist €/£/$ or whatever contributed to the local economy, it wouldn't be so bad. That's why I taks flights only, get local accommodation, eat out and use local shops and bars etc. It just makes sense.

I live on the Costa del Sol. Tourists come, Spaniards have moved here from inland because of plentiful jobs. We are short of housing. Soon there won't be enough residents to run the hotels. The population in the area has increased so the reservoir's are critically low. The wheel will break.

Such a lot of negativity. Things are not as bad as reported by a long way. No one has mentioned the education and funding initiative to get young people back into agriculture. This is having a visible effect with shade tents that were wrecked and abandoned for decades being productive again. The government has long recognised that the model has to change and are working to achieve a more sustainable economy. Raising the activity in the arts with international orchestras, ballet companies and art exhibitions to attract other types of tourists. Preserving and promoting traditional skills, festivals and music adds to the attraction. Not to mention locally produced wines and cheeses. Having lived here for 24 years I am dismayed at the putdown.

The question everyone is asking, what holiday gives me the most pleasure for my money/2 weeks in the sun. Some may not care if their not welcome.but others will realise theirs a hole world to explore and they will not be back.

Hi Stu, I think all this anti tourist nonsense is Africa’s gain, the west coast of Morocco could do with some investment similar to what the Canaries had. I’m sure they will welcome mass tourism & given its proximity to the islands tourists would get the same weather.

Spain might be a happy country for part of its citizens. However I don't think it is that happy for the 17% unemployed or the 20% on the verge of poverty (European Union figures).

@pauls3075

Ай бұрын

Yeah but the people 'Think' they are saving the planet so they feel happier even though they cant afford to eat. (Damn youtube and its lack of irony emoticon).

@frgv4060

Ай бұрын

@@pauls3075There is a part of unemployment that is chronic, idk, it is being said 8-12% perhaps,no matter how many of the available jobs may be available for them specifically. “Unofficial” earners and fake poor people, certain places in Spain are full of them, and they aren’t going to get a job for their life tho any free benefit from unemployment is always very welcome 😂. Oh… and they are happy indeed haha

actually stuart i would also like to tell you that here in Suffolk UK we are suffering greatly from tourism - in my small road of 12 houses , 8 are now airbnb and thus not available for locals as residential housing and it is a complex problem with many difficulties a lot more than i ever imagined - 😍😍😎😎

Mil gracias por el video Stuart. Is mr Sánchez reading mr Putins guide book 📙

may i say how much we love your videos and enjoy your journalistic style very very much - i rushed to the cupboard and found one bottle 500ml of spanish olive oil and one bottle of 500ml of puglian olive oil (we are in suffolk UK) - the price of olive oil has rocketed here and thus i think i purchased the most economical versions on the two days and shops that i have been to recently and thus these are representative of the what i am buying here in the UK - we agree very much with your erudite journalism of democracy which here too in the UK seems to be suffering from threats and pressures to restrict their reporting or that is what emails from the Guardian seem to be indicating which we are worried about too - i just visited Ibiza and felt very welcome there and appreciated as a tourist and was very very sad to leave , I talked a lot to staff around the hotel and found them to be incredibly polite , kind , generous and enthusiastic and happier than i had expected after some of the reporting ie the canary isles have a great day Stuart and keep up the superb work

BTW, just so I'm not misunderstood. Despite believing that all countries including the US have an obvious right to control their borders, I have nothing but absolute empathy, sympathy and understanding for all those immigrants trying to escape the miserable existence in their own country.

Hi, Stu, Andy here from Chile. 🇨🇱. One question about Australian English. Is there any opinion among Australians about intrusive Rs? I mean you just said Media r outlets. I know it is so British and your English comes from there… however is there any consciousness that you’re pronouncing a non-existing R?

@FlamencoOz

Ай бұрын

No, we don’t think about it. It’s just how we talk in Australia.

@Jon.Morimoto

Ай бұрын

To be fair, Stuart's Australian accent is understandable to a broad spectrum of anglophones. There's a KZreadr (DJs Aviation) who has an offensively low-class accent.

@flippop

29 күн бұрын

@@Jon.Morimoto Yes and Stu has a Beautiful accent. I'm just talking about obtrusive Rs.

Top of the list of where Canary Island tourists come from is........mainland Spain

Hi Stu. That Guardia Civil car in the background looked a bit menacing!!🚓👮

El Salvador... Nicaragua...?....!,,,,

@MookMineola

Ай бұрын

I have visited both and can report both are preferable to Spain .

@carmeneche

Ай бұрын

@@MookMineola And have you visited Spain?

Changed locations this year going to Portugal for a change seem they don't abuse the English like Spain do

Hey Stu, controlled media is everywhere, dodgy politicians again 😔I don't normally take much notice on it, better value and entertainment in your news feeds mate. I'm just surprised controlled media didn't happen earlier in Spain, regards Marco 😉👊

So the canaries does not have rich minerals, gold, oil, gas only volcanic sands with lots of cockroaches. Apologies. You do have a very good climate but that is all you have. Be careful for what you wish because Spain ain’t that cheap anymore and tourists are they only thing that is keeping your small island civilised in my opinion.

I've not been to Spain in decades because I avoid mass tourism hot spots…Trouble is, it does mean I have to take long and expensive flights which Greta would not approve of. I’m afraid I don’t think places like Spain have much choice, but stick with the cheap mass tourism model.

@jp13119

Ай бұрын

When I traveled to Spain earlier this year, I didn't go to tourist spots. I did go to tourist cities but avoided the tourist spots and did a lot of walking and found a wonderful country the country of my ancestors. I feel bad that the different sections like Basque Country and Catalunya feel the need to be separate because together they are so Strong!

@harriettt9857

Ай бұрын

⁠@@jp13119Here we go again ! Need to separate 🙄🙄🙄🙄

@johnlongford1734

Ай бұрын

We avoid mass tourist areas and have been travelling to Spain for years. You just have to be selective.

@anthonyferris8912

Ай бұрын

@@johnlongford1734 The thing is, going to tourist hotspots anywhere in the world, is not traveling is it? Traveling suggests moving and discovering, not lying on a beach or sitting in a bar for a couple of weeks.

El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala y Guatepeor.

@janethaver3375

Ай бұрын

Very droll 😂😂

Is it just me or do you find the European countries are now being visited by lots of tourists now from America adding to more footfall. I’m not complaining just an observation. I’ve worked in the canaries many years ago - always busy with mostly visitors from Northern Europe and the uk. Since you tube and other social media other countries are now travelling more and more to Europe and in Motirhones . I went to Portugal last year it was packed with tourists and residents from America . As I said I’m not complaining just observing. . It’s not fair to brand all British saying we only eat cheap food and drink cheap drink. I personally and most people I know go for nice meals at local restaurants and spend a small fortune as a holiday treat.

@LJthreeonethree

Ай бұрын

The US dollar is trading much stronger against the euro in recent years and Mexico isn't safe.

A narcissist with power can make a lot of damage. That is what Pedro has been doing to Spain over the past 7 years, damaging Spain and hurting us spaniards. Pedro Sánchez is a very bad person and extremely dangerous..

@harriettt9857

Ай бұрын

He’s a narcissist of the highest order . But also a very dangerous one !

El 20% de la Economía española está sumergida. Pobreza?... relativa. No Pobreza.

@harriettt9857

Ай бұрын

Just huge “black “ economy . You’re right. Not too much poverty !

Sanchez is starting to look like an autocrat. Im sure spain had one not too long ago?

@BaibaVulgaris

Ай бұрын

Absolutely

Come to south Africa to see dirty politics and a country thats in the crap

I love that the Spanish people always have a smile for you but to say we are disappointed in what is going on with all the dog poo everywhere I am sick and tired of it we have toured all over Spain 8000 miles from the UK but dog crap is everywhere we parked in a big town I could not walk on the foot path there was so much dog muck And what the hell is it with Spanish peeing in full view even women of everyone Come Spain you are a lot better then this

Pedro the narcist.

@OGillo2001

Ай бұрын

narcisist

@harriettt9857

Ай бұрын

⁠@@OGillo2001. narcissist

I blame the politicians, so short sighted and only interested in their pockets

Cobblers

They are all doing it in the west countries

He's sounding like tRUMP🤔🤨🥴🤫

Wtf, el salvador is ahead of Spain in wellbeing? Have you seen the news? People are hanging themselves from trees in the middle of the street. Hell salvador is what it is.

It's very dirty politics in UK Stu

@TheRealJoseramirez

Ай бұрын

It's more corrupt really but it's cleverer and more subtle. They're good at it. After all, they've been practising it for centuries.

Remember Nixon's 'enemies list'? This is nothing new in some ways, but in my opinion, more extreme? Witness Trump, Orban, Netanyahu, Millei and others.....

In Gran Canaria most of the free housing (bungalows, flats , holiday lets in the south are second homes of families from Las Palmas, every weekend they arrive on mass Many of them are worse than tourists, they leave rubbish on the beach, their kids ate noisy and out of control, they are rude, uncouth and xenophobic. It's not tourists taking housing away from locals in the South its their own islanders from the North.

Spain bests the UK which is disappearing into the Atlantic

@12alocin

Ай бұрын

?