For many British, summer is the ideal time to change the UK climate for the sun and southern European beaches. However, this year’s holidays are being marked by travel notices that point to possible disturbances in popular destinations, including Portugal, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.
The United Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to those traveling to Portugal in the coming weeks, due to a strike that affects six of the country’s leading airports. The stoppage, which began in late July and extends until the end of August, involves SPDH/Menzies workers, responsible for luggage handling, support for aircraft and check-in counters. The stops are planned every weekend and may affect thousands of British passengers who land or depart from Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo and Azores.
Impact on the links between Portugal and the United Kingdom
The protest should also have repercussions in the UK, with flights at risk at airports such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. It is estimated that up to 60 weekly connections can be affected, bringing companies such as Ryanair, British Airways and Easyjet to reduce the offer of places on critical dates.
The British government’s warning recommends that all travelers confirm the information with airlines or tour operators before boarding, and prepare for possible late -minute delays or changes.
Year ‘turbulent’ for European tourism
Strikes in Portugal arise in a broader context of instability in European tourism, with protests against excess visitors to multiply in several countries. Spain has watched the manifestations in the whaares, cannaries and Catalonia, motivated by problems such as overcrowding, increased cost of living and pressure on local services.
In Palma de Mallorca, tens of thousands of people marched in July with posters saying “your luxury, our misery”, requiring boundaries to cruises, local housing and the number of tourists, according to the same source.
Fall of revenues in tourist destinations
On the island of Mallorca, the Association of Concessionaires and Temporary Services in Maritime-E-Quadra (Adopuma) reported a break of about 20% in July revenues compared to last year. The entity points to causes bad weather in spring, increased costs and the lowest demand for beach services, but also growing rhetoric against tourism, which removes visitors.
The Association’s president, Onofre Fornés, states that restaurants, beach bars and lounger rental companies are receiving fewer customers and that many tourists postpone spending until the last day of vacation, according to the same source mentioned above.
Hostility environment in Spain
The tension between residents and visitors has led to episodes of hostility. In Barcelona, protesters sprayed tourists with water pistols, glued “Tourist Go Home” stickers and blocked hotel entries.
In Palma, a group surrounded British tourists in a restaurant, shouting “Go Home” and “Go to Hell”. A protester wielded an ax, which led to police intervention, according to the.
Although these incidents have been convicted of local politicians, activists argue that they are the result of years of frustration with overcrowded streets, high incomes and stagnant wages.
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