British holidaymakers are increasingly concerned about anti-tourism protests in Spain, a travel industry chief has warned.
There is a growing "perception" among some Britons that they are unwelcome in the popular holiday destination, according to chief executive of airline and tour operator Jet2 Steve Heapy.
Spanish residents in tourist hotspots have organised several demonstrations against visitors in recent years, with protesters displaying antisocial banners saying "tourists go home".
The impact of tourism on rental rates is frequently mentioned as a key grievance at these protests.
The travel chief said the anti-tourism sentiment has become a 'big issue'
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Speaking at an event at the Spanish embassy in London, Heapy said: "We've had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like 'is Spain safe', 'are we still welcome in the resort'."
He emphasised the seriousness of the situation, adding: "It is becoming a big issue unfortunately, and perception becomes truth."
Nevertheless, Spain has remained the most popular overseas destination for UK tourists, with more than 18 million visits last year.
Heapy pointed to "unlicensed tourism" had become a major factor fuelling tensions, particularly private accommodation listed on platforms like Airbnb, adding that it "needs to be controlled".
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He mentioned concerns including uncertainty over visitor numbers, unpaid tourist taxes and properties that "could be death traps".
The Jet2 boss pushed for stricter enforcement measures, saying if he were a politician he would introduce fines of "a quarter of a million euros" for Airbnb hosts without proper licences or tax records.
Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London Manuel Butler sought to reassure British visitors about the situation, saying: "It is important to distinguish between specific local tensions and the broader national picture.
"The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists."
Protesters have flocked to the streets to demonstrate their disdain for tourists
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Butler acknowledged that protests in cities like Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Santa Cruz stem from "broader societal issues", including "housing pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental strain in high-density areas", rather than anti-tourist sentiment specifically.
He added that Spain is taking concrete steps to address these issues through various measures, such as "legislation on short-term rentals, tourism taxes in certain regions, and more comprehensive destination management".
Meanwhile, Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sanchez Grau said: "We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors.
"It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future."
