A NEW travel warning has been put in place for Canary Island holidaymakers following a number of ‘rogue’ tour operators.
The Professional Association of Tourist Guides (APIT) issued the warning due to a number of concerns over the companies.
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APIT warned that the pirate companies, which are unregulated, put tourists at risk with unlicensed vehicles.
Dubbed “sardine cans” they are said to violate road laws, and means tourists are not covered in the case of an accident.
This is for both guided tours, as well as airport and cruise transfers where they wait for arrivals before offering the trips.
APIT President, Natacha López-Braña, said: “They are people who offer their services on Facebook or elsewhere and they say they are guides, but they are not and the tourist is being deceived.”
“This paints an unacceptable picture for a destination like ours, where untrained individuals feed tourists falsehoods about our island.
“What quality do we want to give to the island when anyone comes and can work as a guide? What information is being given?”
Mainly an issue in Lanzarote, they warned it is widespread across the islands.
Local media website Canarian Weekly said: “Sources in Lanzarote’s tourism sector have said that the problem is not confined to the island.
“Similar illegal operations are widespread throughout the Canary Islands, particularly during the high cruise season when ports see a significant influx of visitors.”
Tourists are advised to book tours and holiday experiences through their tour operator, or via a credited agency.
People on social media have backed this one.
One Spanish tour guide wrote: “It is a disgrace to see all these ‘pirates’ who abound in many Spanish cities offering their tours.
“[They are] destroying the dignity, price, quality and a thousand other things of those of us who have studied and prepared to carry out with dignity this profession that we love.”
Brits heading to Spain should be aware of new rules introduced last December.
Hotels and accommodation sites are now required to get additional information from tourists on arrival.
This includes group sizes, home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
And tourists must have enough money to enter Spain as well.
Holidaymakers must be able to show that they have €113.40 (£97) per day they are in Spain.
Everything you need to know about visiting Spain
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.
Authorities at the airport are allowed to ask for evidence of this, and can turn anyone away who doesn’t.
And an expert has revealed how to avoid the common (and costly) mistakes tourists make in Spain while on holiday.
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