Tenerife bar owner slams 'tourism ban' as UK tourists threaten to 'not go' over new £97 daily tourist fee

A bar owner has criticised the idea of a 'tourism ban' in Tenerife.

Some locals in the Canary Islands are claiming that tourism is destroying the economy, with a series of protests taking place.

Due to the 'over-tourism' in the area, officials are concerned that the numbers travelling to the region each year are no longer sustainable.

Record numbers have been travelling to the Canary Islands. (John Lamb/Getty Images)

It comes after a record number of visitors travelled to the region last year - a whopping 48 million. And around half of this number were Brits.

Some of the major concerns from locals include long traffic jams and congestion, sewage spillages and environmental issues caused from new hotel complexes and the sheer volume of people on the islands.

In Tenerife, campaigners have started demanding an 'eco-tax' for tourists, while 'tourists go home' is a common slogan during protests.

Meanwhile, placards reading 'the Canaries are no longer a paradise' and 'the Canaries are not for sale' could also be seen at recent rallies.

But one bar owner says a ban on tourism is not the answer.

Gerry Higgins, of The Claddagh Irish Music Bar, told The Sun: "The locals are being priced out of it.

"The wages aren't going up to meet the price of accommodation.

"Tourism down the south here is our main industry. That's the beast, it's how they [the Government] make their money.

"There's nothing here only tourism, banning tourists is not the way to go."

The protests come as a new rule throughout Spain sees tourists having to prove that they have £97 per day to stay in the country.

The new money law in Spain states that Brits must be ready to show proof that they have €113.40 (£97) per day - and if you're in a group, per person - throughout their stay in the country.

But news of the new law has not gone down well with many people.

Tourists are not happy about the £97 rule. (Pol Albarrán/Getty Images)

Talking to BirminghamLive, one British jet-setter said: “If the country would stand together and boycott Spain in favour of other Mediterranean countries, within three months they would be begging us to come back.

“17 million visitors is a lot of money to the Spanish economy.”

Another furious Brit said: “Why not take it to a country where you are welcome and not just your money? Vote with your wallet.

“Spain will get the message, even if by then you've discovered better places and never return to Spain.”

And a third added: “Simply don't go and spend your money in the UK or elsewhere instead and those countries will lose out!

“They will soon put an end to it when they are not receiving any money from British tourism.”