As thoughts turn to the excitement of incoming holidays for British tourists in Spain this Easter, so too have those of anti-tourism protesters, who have already begun their renewed campaign disruption. Last month, visitors to Ibiza were left disappointed after a renowned viewpoint was blocked off, while just last week over a dozen hire cars were smashed and set alight in Tenerife.

On the party island, the famous Es Vedra viewpoint – celebrated for its incredible sunset views against a mountainous backdrop – is now off-limits after frustrated landowners declared it overrun by crowds. A large yellow sign now warns visitors: “Private Property: Restricted Access”. Meanwhile, in Tenerife, unidentified activists are said to have smashed and torched 20 hire cars in the popular tourist resort of Costa Adeje.

Standing at almost 400 metres high, just off the southwest coast of Ibiza, lies the majestic small rocky island of Es Vedra. The uninhabited island forms part of the Cala d’Hort nature reserve and has become one of the must-see sights when visiting the party island of the Balearic archipelago.

Over the years, during the height of summer, several websites have recommended avoiding the site at sunset hour as it becomes a pedestrian traffic jam and incredibly crowded and there is a large risk of injury and even death.

In 2020, a British holidaymaker tragically died after falling 150 metres from the clifftop viewpoint late one evening.

Instead, sites recommend watching the sunset from the nearby beach, Cala d’Hort, where there are several restaurants to watch the marvel unfold. Reservation will be required though, as many will have the same idea.

But, if this sign becomes a permanent sight at the viewpoint, tourists will need to find another spot to watch the breathtaking sunset.

Yet this act seems relatively tame when compared with the violence that erupted in Tenerife under a fortnight ago.

A video has been circulating on social media showing a group of unknown individuals smashing windows and setting fire to rental cars belonging to Cicar, a Canary Islands-based company that is considered to be a key player in the archipelago’s tourism industry.

Although no one has claimed responsibility for the vandalism, several Tenerife accounts managed by environmental and anti-tourism activists have shared the video with this text: “We have received this video from Canary Islands activists, exhausted by mass tourism, overpopulation in their neighbourhoods, and the complete lack of redistribution of the so-called wealth generated by tourism.”

According to local media reports, the National Police are investigating the case and investigating whether activists caused the damage.

“Peaceful means have been exhausted,” warned activist Roberto Mesa, who shared the video on social media.

In January, shocking graffiti reading “kill a tourist” also appeared on a resident’s house in Tenerife, the owner of whom admitted to being worried that the mass anti-tourism movement against overcrowding was going too far. While conceding that there is a housing shortage and the risk to harm the environment linked to overtourism, they described the actions as “frightening”.

The chaos in Spain shows no signs of ceasing as the holiday season approaches, with campaigners even threatening to block airports.