A girl living in Tenerife revealed the reality of the island: it is not only the harassment of tourists that is terrifying Life

A teenager living in Tenerife has condemned rowdy tourists, claiming they have turned part of the island into a no-go zone for locals, the Daily Star reports.

Fifteen-year-old C.Quintero, who joined a protest against the negative effects of tourism in the Canary Islands, told of a horrifying incident when she was chased by German holidaymakers and forced to hide in an inn.

I would not go alone to the southern part of the island, it is not safe for young women there.

Ms. Quintero, who feels pressure even at school, revealed that some classes are taught in English to accommodate the influx of tourists: “We need to know English because we depend on tourism and we want to stay safe.”

Speaking to the Express during the demonstration, she warned: “I wouldn’t go alone to the south of the island, it’s not safe for young women there.”

Her 21-year-old brother Jaime, who also took part in the protest, clarified their position, saying they were not anti-tourist but wanted their home to be visited in a more respectful and sustainable manner.

Jaime lamented the state of local beaches littered with litter from visitors, adding: “We want to address the misconception that we don’t want tourists. We are here to change tourism. This island is beautiful, and if we don’t protect it, tourists won’t have anything to see.”

Activists are calling for restrictions on the number of visitors, people moving into the country and the construction of new hotels. They are also calling for increased taxes to be reinvested in affected communities. However, the tension is felt not only in Tenerife – last Saturday protests also took place in Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.

An estimated 50,000 people took to the streets of Tenerife, chanting “The Canary Islands have a limit” and placards with various inscriptions blaring from megaphones. Growing discontent among the island’s residents has prompted Canarian leaders to warn tourists not to feel unwelcome as they depend on tourism for income.

Photo by Reuters/Scanpix. / Protests against tourism, Tenerife

The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, hit back at the activists, calling their arguments “tourist phobia”. In recent months, tensions have risen between the locals and the British have been told to “go home”. Local residents even called for curbing tourists. Residents have called waves of UK tourists an “invasion” and asked them to go home, with some even telling Britons to sober up.

One expatriate told the Daily Star newspaper that it was causing serious problems for locals even in the off-season, while another expatriate warned that an “uprising” was imminent. Local residents complain that the British are buying up houses, they also complain about low wages and a lack of real estate to rent.

Vida Press photo. / Protests against tourism, Tenerife

Some even said the lack of housing meant they were living in “caves”, while others lamented the impact of tourism on local beaches, natural habitats and the environment. Unfortunately, the travel expert explained that it is “unlikely” that tourists will be able to change pre-booked holiday dates or destinations without paying an additional fee.