Holidaymakers warned to stay away from Lanzarote as island is on the 'verge of collapse'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Brits heading to the Canary Islands have been warned to 'stay away', with the popular sun holiday destinations 'on the verge of collapse' Holidaymakers travelling later this month could face anti-tourism protests across some of the major hotspots in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Palma.

The demonstrations are scheduled to kick off on April 20, with fake 'closed due to over tourism' signs reportedly being put up in parts of Lanzarote, where environmentalists say the island is being ruined by its own success, reports the Mirror. READ MORE New daily charge could see UK tourists boycott the Canary Islands Locals have been called to join in whether they work in the hospitality sector or not, with organisers claiming that "the island is collapsing socially and environmentally" because it cannot cope with the volume of tourists that travel there each year.

They condemn tourist overcrowding and the consequences caused by the influx of travellers, "but not the arrival of tourists in a controlled and sustainable way." Campaigners argue it is impossible to access housing and also criticise the congestion of health services, the collapse of the waste management system, the lack of water for consumption and the agricultural sector, the loss of quality of life, poor public transportation, overcrowding of protected spaces affected by multiple crimes and environmental infractions and the loss of biodiversity.

Earlier this month the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, called for "common sense", adding that tourism is the "main source of employment and wealth" for the local economy.