Tenerife issues red alert for winter tourists amid safety concerns
- Tenerife has issued a 'red alert' due to water contamination at popular tourist sites, banning swimming indefinitely.
- The ban was prompted by the detection of E. Coli, posing serious health risks to visitors.
- Local residents are protesting against unsustainable tourism practices, resulting in a new tourist tax set to begin in January 2025.
Tenerife, a popular tourist destination in the Canary Islands, has issued a 'red alert' warning due to health concerns related to water contamination. This alert affects three major tourist hotspots, including Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz and the zones of El Bloque and Los Charcos in Valleseco. Swimming has been banned indefinitely in these areas following the detection of E. Coli and other indicators of water pollution, which pose serious health risks such as gastrointestinal symptoms and respiratory infections. The ban was first implemented on July 4, 2024, and local authorities are actively monitoring the situation to determine when it might be safe for tourists to return to the water. Despite the beautiful scenery and the significant role tourism plays in Tenerife's economy, local residents have expressed concerns about the sustainability of mass tourism, leading to protests and the introduction of a new tourist tax set to take effect in January 2025. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between the needs of the local population and the demands of the tourism industry, which has seen a significant influx of British visitors in recent years.