Urgent warning to British tourists visiting Canary Islands
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Brits flocking to the Canary Islands for some much-needed winter sun have been urged to remain vigilant. Thanks to its all-year round sunny climate, cheap booze, and close proximity to the UK, millions of Brits visit the Spanish archipelago, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa.
Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most popular destinations, and can sometimes get too buys and overcrowded. Lanzarote, is just as popular with flights to the volcanic island's airport hitting 8.7 million travellers in 2024, a 6.1 per cent jump compared to the year before. But, before you get ready to drink cocktails by the beach or lounge behind the pool, it's worth being aware of the recent surge in illegal tours.
The Professional Association of Tourist Guides (APIT) in Lanzarote has flagged concerns over so-called 'pirate tours', where unlicensed operators are picking up tourists from cruise ships in the port of Arrecife and offering them guided itineraries. This is despite not having the proper training or licences. It is believed many of the illegal tours are conducted in unsuitable vehicles that have been branded 'sardine cans'. According to Canarian Weekly, APIT said such activity was 'tarnishing' Lanzarote's reputation as a 'premium' destination and puts tourists' safety at 'serious' risk. "This paints an unacceptable picture for a destination like ours, where untrained individuals feed tourists falsehoods about our island,"APIT President López-Braña added.
The association is now calling on local authorities to take stronger measures to combat these illegal operations and to spread awareness to tourists. If you're visiting the island soon, it's worth bearing this in mind, and only booking tours with companies you know you can trust.
