Lanzarote 'on brink of collapse' as locals call for crackdown on 'overtourism'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

UK Tourists heading to Lanzarote have been issued with a holiday warning with the island said to be "on the verge of collapse".Holidaymakers have been warned to stay away during mass protests, which are due to kick off on April 20.

It comes as locals are set to protect about "overtourism" with many unhappy about the current situation.Demonstrators have coined the motto, "Lanzarote has a limit" with hundreds preparing to take to the streets for the demonstration, which is being carried out by anonymous citizens "who do not represent any group or political party."The demonstrators do not condemn "the arrival of tourists in a controlled and sustainable way" but are, however, against tourist overcrowding and its consequences, reports Birmingham Live.Locals say it's impossible to access housing with the residents also slamming a backlog of health services as well as the collapse of the waste management system, the lack of water for consumption and overcrowding of protected spaces.The Ben Magec-Ecologists in Action report says: "Uncontrolled, increase in the non-resident population of European origin, giving rise to completely overcrowded islands in which the generation of waste and the exploitation of resources cause an almost irreversible degradation of our natural ecosystems."Ruben Zerpa, of Canaries Sold Out, insisted campaigners were not against tourism saying: “We in these islands have always been very welcoming to tourists.

But we want more sustainable tourism,” he told i. He went on: “Tenerife is a small island with limited resources. The roads are overwhelmed with traffic, there is a hydraulic emergency going on and hotels are full.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community