British holidaymakers planning trips to the Canary Islands are facing warnings that the popular Spanish archipelago "is not a paradise anymore" as anti-tourism protests intensify across the islands.

According to reports, 18 million tourists are projected to visit the Islands in 2025, sparking growing resentment among locals who blame mass tourism for housing crises and environmental damage.

Demonstrations have erupted in Lanzarote and Tenerife, where residents are voicing their frustration at what they see as unsustainable visitor numbers threatening their way of life.

The protests reflect broader anti-tourism sentiment spreading across Spain's most popular holiday destinations.

On Tenerife, which attracts the largest number of British holidaymakers, tourism represents 35 per cent of the economy, yet locals increasingly view visitors as a threat to their identity rather than immigrants.

"We don't want this unlimited growth rate," one resident told the newspaper, citing concerns about "more construction, more population growth, more tourists."

Another local blamed "corrupt" politicians who "fail to protect the environment" whilst highlighting that "people can't access housing."

A third resident expressed stark frustration: "The Canary Islands is not a paradise anymore. Our coastline is s***. We can't have 18 million tourists."

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The Canary Islands are facing further anti-tourism protests

The anti-tourism movement has spread beyond the Canary Islands to mainland Spain, with Barcelona witnessing significant demonstrations.

Between 600 and 800 protesters marched through Barcelona's city centre chanting "Your holidays, my misery" and carrying banners declaring "Mass tourism kills the city" and "Their greed brings us ruin."

Demonstrators employed dramatic tactics, firing water pistols at tourists, setting off coloured flares, and placing stickers reading "Neighbourhood self-defence, tourist go home" on shop windows and hotels.

Similar protests have emerged in other Spanish cities, including San Sebastián in the Basque Country, where the "tourism degrowth" platform organised demonstrations against mass tourism's impact on local communities.

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Tenerife attracts the largest number of British holidaymakers

Despite the dramatic protests, organisers have sought to clarify their targets aren't individual holidaymakers.

Asier Basurto, a member of the "tourism degrowth" platform that organised the San Sebastián march, emphasised: "People who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies, nor are they the target of our actions."

He added: "Let me be clear: our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities."

Anti-tourism protests have spilled over to Latin America where violent scenes emerged in Mexico where protestors took aim at foreigners and demanded action against mass tourism which they say is gentrifying the capital city.

A peaceful march through Condesa and Roma - two of Mexico City's most thriving neighbourhoods - turned ugly as masked demonstrators smashed up shopfronts, scrawled graffiti on walls and hurled abuse at visitors.

The two districts, popular among foreign tourists and expats, saw a breakaway group attacking high-end businesses, spray-painting messages like "Get out of Mexico" and "Gringos, stop stealing our home".

Others were seen screaming at passers-by and onlookers.