British tourists are ‘swimming in s***’ as Tenerife faces ‘health disaster’ | Travel News | Travel

Brits have been told they “swim in s***” when on holiday in Tenerife. Campaigners say more than 100 protesters gathered on Playa Honda Near the Playa de las Américas, an area loved by British visitors, calling for urgent measures against polluting sewage discharges on the southern coast of the Spanish island. It was arranged by Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) and local surfing group Alianza Local. A spokesperson for ATAN told the Express: “Locals and tourists are literally swimming in raw sewage.

“It’s dangerous and no one seems to be worried about the consequences. It’s an irresponsible attitude from the Canarian government to hide this situation to the tourism industry.” It comes after, while in Tenerife earlier this month, the Express was told by a surfer, Giulia Pizzi, 32, that people see sewage in the water, and become ill as a result of discharges, vomiting and suffering from diarrhea.

The assembly ended with a “paddle-out”, whereby dozens of surfers entered the water as “a sign of protest and unity”.

Activists added that people from different parts of Tenerife came to show their support, especially those who face the problem every day, such as surfers, fishermen, neighbors, and families who regularly use the beaches affected. 

A spokesperson for Alianza Local said: “We are very happy with the response.

“This shows that we are not alone, that there is a growing awareness, and that there is a collective will to stop this environmental and health disaster.”

They added: “We are not going to stop. Our health, our sea, and our coasts are not negotiable.

“We will not stop denouncing this situation until what should be basic is guaranteed: clean seas, safe beaches, and institutional accountability.”

The group ended their announcement by saying: “The message is clear: citizens are alert and organized. And this is only the beginning.”

Earlier this month, Spanish officials announced a major investment on Tenerife.

The island’s council said it will fork out €1,816,937 (£1,536,510) for works in ​​Arico, the island’s second largest municipality, with the aim of improving its sanitation networks.

The project includes a pumping and discharge station buried under the road along Bernardo Morales Pérez Street, the remodeling of the Porís Playa wastewater treatment plant, the replacement of the discharge and land outfall pipes to and from the Porís wastewater treatment plant and the installation of four pumping stations buried under the sanitation network in Las Maretas.

The Express has approached The Council of Tenerife for comment.