Irish holiday bookings for popular Spanish sun destinations have surged in recent weeks, despite news of a return of local anti-tourism protests.
That is according to online booking agent, On the Beach, which has reported a 70% increase in Irish bookings in the past few weeks.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach said: “Since our launch in Ireland last Summer, we’ve quickly discovered that Irish holidaymakers have a sweet spot for Spain, as it consistently claims the top spot for bookings. So despite the news of the protests, it seems this is not enough to deter those seeking some summer sun, in fact, we’re seeing the opposite with booking numbers rising by 70% in the past few weeks.”
To reassure those booked to travel or thinking of going, we know local business owners and hoteliers that are encouraging Irish tourists to book holidays, stating they are more than welcome in Spain and the Canaries.”
According to reports, anti-tourism activists have promised to wreck havoc across Spain this summer as they ramp up their campaign against holidaymakers by blocking beauty spots and causing disruption ahead of a planned international summit to discuss protest tactics.
Visitors to the party paradise of Ibiza were left disappointed last month after a popular viewing point was dramatically blocked off with boulders in the latest sign of growing local resentment towards mass tourism.
The famous Es Vedra viewpoint, where thousands gather to watch the sun sink behind the mountainous island each evening, is now off-limits after frustrated landowners declared they’d had enough of being overrun by crowds.
Ms Harris said: “We sent a team out there to speak to locals directly and it turns out there is a lot of frustration with their own government, not necessarily Irish tourists.”
According to On the Beach Lanzarote, Mallorca and Costa Brava are currently in the top five most booked destinations this year and bookings will only heat up as we approach summer.
Zoe Harris said: “As we approach the peak holiday season, we anticipate even more Irish holidaymakers will be booking their Spanish getaways, with tens of thousands set to secure their spot in the sun.”
