Canary

A woman has been arrested by Spanish police as she attempted to board a flight out of the country, having allegedly left a £2,000 hotel bill unpaid

Restaurant owners have complained that “dine and dash” offences are on the increase, with some customers ducking out on bills of hundreds of pounds. But as shocking as those losses are, they are dwarfed by a massive £2,000 bill left unpaid after one family’s 11-night holiday at an all-inclusive resort in the Canary Islands.

Officers of Spain’s National Police have arrested a foreign tourist on suspicion of fraud after she allegedly left a hotel in San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) without paying for her stay, which was valued at 2,483 euros (£2,125).

In a press release, the National Police explained that hotel managers had reported that a family of two adults and a child had left the premises after an 11-night all-inclusive stay without settling the bill.

The stay had been booked through the resort’s website, and the customers had provided a credit card number as a security deposit. However, when hotel staff attempted to process the bill at the end of the guests’ stay, they were unable to complete the transaction.

Despite making several attempts to contact the customers, no payment was received and police officers were mobilised to intercept the guest as she attempted to leave the country.

Video footage provided by the National Police shows the as-yet-unnamed suspect being arrested at Gran Canaria Airport. After her arrest, the woman was taken to the Maspalomas police station for processing and was subsequently placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.

The National Police emphasised its commitment to protecting the Canary Islands’ tourism sector and reminded visitors that any attempt to avoid payment for goods or services will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Here in the UK, a 2018 survey found that one in 20 people had walked out without paying for a meal.

Donna Jones, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, told The Daily Mail that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of “dine and dash” offences in recent years.

While some have blamed the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Ms Jones dismissed that suggestion, saying, “They’re driving away in their own cars.” She urged any businesses affected by crimes of this kind to “share images online … and to name and shame those individuals”.

Kate Nicholls, the CEO of the industry organisation UKHospitality, told the Guardian that while only a minority of customers behaved in this way, incidents of people avoiding paying for meals could be “a serious matter” for the bars and restaurants involved.

“These businesses operate on very tight net-profit margins – less than 4% – and often it can be quite big-spend items that people are going for,” she explained.

Adding that referring to the offences as “dine and dash” escapades trivialised what could be a very serious problem for hospitality businesses: “Let’s call it what it is,” she said. “This is theft and fraud and it should be prosecuted as such. It’s not a victimless crime. It is money that is being taken from a business for goods and services consumed – it’s exactly the same as shoplifting.”

Ambassador Cruise Line is offering a triple discount on holidays with hundreds to save on once-in-a-lifetime trips

The summer holiday season is officially here – and those who are bored of lazing on a beach every year might want to try something a little different by embarking on a cruise. While the cost factor may usually be enough to put travellers off the idea, one popular cruise line has launched some huge discounts on holidays for 2026 and beyond.

Ambassador Cruise Line is offering a series of stacked deals on voyages setting sail from ports across the UK. With more than 200 holidays to choose from, there’s 20% off to be had on selected cruises running from London, Liverpool, Newcastle and more in a sale running until July 29.

Holidaymakers can also score an additional 5% off all no-fly cruises using the code SMILE5, on top of all other sale offers, with just hours left to nab this deal. And to top it off, Ambassador is offering an extra 15% off a handful of its winter sun trips with the discount code SAILMORE15 – giving holidaymakers the chance to save up to 40% in total on a cruise to the likes of the Caribbean or Canary Islands.

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One of the biggest deals gives passengers the chance to kick off the New Year in style with the Gems of the Caribbean Sea cruise setting sail from London Tilbury on January 5 for an incredible 42 nights. Calling at 14 countries, stop-offs include iconic destinations such as Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica and Antigua.

At £3,415 per person, this six-week trip doesn’t come cheap – but those who book before 9 am on Friday, July 17 and stack their discount codes can get on board from £2,049 with a huge 40% saving, working out at less than £49 per night. And the beauty of a cruise is that travel, accommodation and dining are all included in that price.

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Ambassador Cruise Line is offering multiple discounts on holidays from the UK to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canary Islands and more.

Another top deal comes on the Gems of the Adriatic & Mediterranean Autumn Sun holiday, which also has 40% off if passengers book before 9am on Friday, bringing prices from £2,903 per person down to starting at £1,742. Setting sail from London Tilbury on November 3 for 31 nights, this journey has 15 ports of call across seven countries, from beauty spots in Greece and Croatia to hidden gem destinations in Morocco and Tunisia.

And for those seeking a shorter and more budget-friendly option, there’s also the Autumn Escape to the Canary Islands, which not only has 10% off all cabins and an extra 5% off on top, but is also on a Cruise of the Week offer, spelling an extra 10% discount. Now available from £991.50 per person, this 14-night holiday from London Tilbury promises “volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and stunning beaches” as it visits Madeira, La Palma and Tenerife.

Meanwhile, those who plan ahead can also bag a buy-one, get-one-half-price deal on Ambassador cruises from April 2028, meaning passengers can bring a loved one along for less. But this isn’t the only cruise line offering savings on holidays departing from the UK.

Fred Olsen is also running special offers on selected winter sun cruises, such as the Mediterranean & Canary Islands Warmth holiday in November 2026. Passengers can get a half-price drinks package and a free flight at the end of the cruise back to London or Manchester.

Half-price drinks and a free flight are also available on the Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta. As well as a discount for solo travellers on B-grade cabins.

In addition, TUI Marella Cruises is also offering a selection of last-minute cruise deals for summer holidaymakers, although it’s worth bearing in mind that these also include flights. Top offers for the summer holidays include the Mediterranean Medley trip sailing from Palma on August 1 for seven nights, now priced from £1,114 per person with a £712 discount.

Another option is the Aegean Delights cruise from Cyprus for seven nights from August 5. Now £1,095 per person with a discount of £822.

Pope Leo has traveled to the Canary Islands as the final stop of his week long visit to Spain, placing migration and human dignity at the center of his international message. The Canary Islands have become one of Europe’s most important migration gateways, with thousands of people risking dangerous Atlantic crossings from Africa in search of safety, opportunity, or asylum.

The visit comes amid growing global debate over migration policies, border security, and humanitarian responsibilities. During his Spain tour, Leo has repeatedly argued that the treatment of migrants represents a moral test for governments and societies.

His stop in the Canary Islands includes meetings with migrants, humanitarian organizations, and local groups assisting new arrivals, as well as a memorial tribute to those who lost their lives attempting the journey.

Why the Canary Islands Have Become a Migration Flashpoint

Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands have emerged as a major entry point for migrants seeking access to Europe.

As Mediterranean routes have become increasingly difficult or heavily monitored, many migrants have turned to the Atlantic route despite its extreme dangers. The journey often involves overcrowded boats, harsh weather conditions, and long periods at sea.

The rising number of arrivals has transformed the islands into a focal point of European migration debates, exposing tensions between humanitarian obligations and border management concerns.

Pope Leo’s Broader Message on Migration

The pope’s visit is consistent with his broader emphasis on human rights, social justice, and international responsibility.

Throughout his papacy, Leo has framed migration not merely as a political issue but as a question of human dignity. His criticism of the international community’s response reflects concerns that many governments are prioritizing deterrence and border enforcement over humanitarian protection.

By meeting migrants directly, Leo is attempting to shift attention from statistics and policy disputes toward the personal experiences of those undertaking dangerous journeys.

Spain’s Different Approach

Spain has largely adopted a more welcoming position toward migrants compared with several European countries that have tightened immigration policies.

The government’s efforts to regularize the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants reflect a belief that legal integration can strengthen social cohesion and economic participation.

However, implementation challenges remain significant. Many migrants continue to face lengthy bureaucratic processes, uncertainty regarding legal status, and difficulties accessing employment and social services.

At the same time, migration has become an increasingly contentious political issue, with critics arguing that more permissive policies could encourage additional arrivals.

The Growing European Debate

Migration remains one of the most divisive issues across Europe.

Governments face competing pressures to maintain border security, address labor shortages, uphold humanitarian commitments, and respond to domestic political concerns. Rising support for nationalist and far right parties in several countries has further intensified the debate.

Against this backdrop, Pope Leo’s intervention highlights the widening gap between humanitarian advocates and political leaders who favor stricter migration controls.

His visit also underscores the role religious institutions continue to play in shaping discussions about ethics, responsibility, and international solidarity.

Analysis

The significance of Pope Leo’s Canary Islands visit extends beyond Spain’s migration challenges.

The trip represents an effort to place human rights concerns at the center of a debate increasingly dominated by security, border control, and political polarization. By choosing one of Europe’s most visible migration entry points, Leo is drawing attention to the human consequences of global inequality, conflict, and displacement.

The visit also reflects a growing tension between moral leadership and political realities. While many governments acknowledge humanitarian responsibilities, they face domestic pressures that often push policy in the opposite direction.

Leo’s message is therefore unlikely to change migration policy overnight. However, it may strengthen the position of humanitarian organizations and advocates who argue that migration should be addressed through a combination of legal pathways, international cooperation, and human rights protections rather than deterrence alone.

Future Outlook

Migration pressures on Europe are unlikely to diminish in the near future.

Conflict, economic instability, climate related challenges, and demographic trends will continue to drive movement across borders. As a result, countries will face increasing pressure to develop sustainable migration frameworks that balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations.

Pope Leo is expected to remain one of the most prominent global voices advocating for migrants and refugees. His Canary Islands visit may become a defining symbol of his broader effort to place human dignity at the center of international policymaking.

The larger challenge for Europe will be determining whether political leaders can translate humanitarian principles into workable migration policies amid growing public and political divisions.

With information from Reuters.

British holidaymakers travelling to the Canary Islands have been warned to arrive at the airport three hours early due to severe border control delays caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), with some travellers reporting waits of up to two and a half hours at passport control

British tourists heading to the Canary Islands are now being advised to reach the airport three hours in advance, mainly due to serious border control hold-ups caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES).

The rollout of the new biometric border infrastructure has sparked enormous queues – occasionally stretching to three hours – at popular holiday airports such as Gran Canaria Airport and Tenerife South. Airlines and travel specialists have issued these firm warnings to stop British and non-EU passengers from missing their return flights.

Under the EU’s digital border scheme, non-EU travellers (including British passport holders) must complete facial recognition scans and fingerprinting at border control.

Technical glitches and the considerable time needed to process each passenger have severely clogged passport control lanes.

The Canary Islands accommodate vast numbers of UK passengers. When several flights depart for non-Schengen destinations simultaneously, the local infrastructure becomes rapidly overwhelmed.

Spanish airport operator Aena officially requires a three-hour arrival window as standard procedure for all non-Schengen flights (which covers all flights returning to the UK).

Airlines such as Wizz Air have firmly reinforced the three-hour recommendation. Nevertheless, passengers should be mindful of a practical obstacle: many baggage drop and check-in desks at Canary Island airports do not open until precisely two hours before departure. Airlines continue to recommend arriving early to ensure you’re at the head of the queue the moment check-in desks open, enabling you to clear security and head straight to the congested passport control gates.

A travel expert based in the Canary Islands has now shared his thoughts on the 3-hour airport warning in a recent video.

Mr TravelON (real name David Gainford) is a well-known travel and media content creator on TikTok, recognised for his candid, lively vlogs and live streams centred on holidays in the Canary Islands (including Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria).

The influencer, who commands 192,000 followers, took to his account this week to offer his perspective on the guidance.

Gainford stressed in his clip that passengers travelling with luggage may be unable to check in three hours before departure as the desk may not yet be open. However, he suggested that many airlines are looking to address this by opening earlier.

He also pointed out that those who have booked a package holiday with TUI or Jet2 can count on these companies to ensure they reach the airport on time.

“It’s their responsibility to get you from your hotel and accommodation to the airport on time,” he said.

“So sit back, chill out, relax, and let your rep tell you what time you’re getting picked up.

“Yes, it might be an hour earlier.”

He noted that independent travellers not using a tour operator should ‘probably get to the airport three hours early’. The travel expert also warned that massive queues at airports could be likely, as travellers arriving at the airports have given conflicting accounts.

“Some are reporting two or two-and-a-half hour’s wait, it really does depend on how may flights land at that time,” he said.

The video has garnered over 180 likes as Canary Island holidaymakers hunt for information.

Numerous viewers flocked to the comments to share their own experiences, with one individual stating: “I got to Lanzarote airport 3 hours early last month and had to wait a hour for the gate to open.”

Meanwhile, another remarked: “Arrived in Lanzarote last month no issues on arrival but leaving to fly back to the UK was awful, we arrived early just in case, went to gate 6 done what we needed to once our gate number came up we headed over, that was where the issues began, you had to go through the machines again and there was only three machines.”

Yet a third responded: “We landed in Lanzarote last night and we were lucky, 10 minutes from getting off the plane to arriving at the bus stop. EES was ok, no queue and the luggage was waiting for us as we came through.”

One commenter summarised the situation by saying: “Better to be safe than sorry, it’s a nightmare at certain times.”

When contacted, a representative of the Ministry of the Interior commented: “The Entry Exit (EES) border control system has been fully operational in Spain since April 10th and is being implemented as initially planned, with positive results to date, and no significant incidents have occurred.”

The Cuerpo General Policía Canaria (CGPC) has also been contacted for comment.

The guidance emerges after renowned travel publisher Fodor’s has placed the Canary Islands — singling out Tenerife and Lanzarote in particular — on its 2026 “No List” back in November last year.

The publication cautioned responsible travellers to reconsider visiting, citing a severe housing crisis, gridlocked traffic, and water shortages brought on by overcrowding.

The Canary Islands are experiencing a tourism crisis, with activists warning the coastline is unsustainable as locals say the ‘land is being destroyed and speculated on’

The Canary Islands have witnessed mounting demonstrations in recent years. Frustration has been building amongst residents, who argue the surge in tourism to the sun-soaked Spanish archipelago is unmanageable. They point to outdated regulations that allow property speculators to purchase land for hotels and holiday flats, while paying only minimal tax.

Consequently, Canarians claim they receive the lowest average salaries in Spain and face difficulties securing affordable accommodation. Yet now they have a further complaint against holidaymakers. The islands are suffering coastal erosion at an alarming pace. Campaigners say the Canary Islands’ coastline is on the brink of disaster.

Each year, based on a report from SOS Costas Canarias, approximately 21⁄2 miles of coastline disappears. Anne Striewe, the foundation’s director, states that hotels, apartment blocks, housing estates and marinas, amongst other structures, are being constructed on this “lost” territory.

The organisation cautions that throughout the eight islands, roughly 18% of the territory within the first 500 metres from the sea has already been developed. Beyond protected natural areas (PNAs), this figure skyrockets: it surpasses 40% on multiple islands and coastal sections, reaching 43% in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Nearly 20% of the living space on the Canary Islands is dedicated to tourism – in comparison to around 4% on the Spanish mainland. Five municipalities on the Canaries possess more tourist beds than permanent inhabitants: Yaiza (Lanzarote), Pájara (Fuerteventura), Mogán (Gran Canaria), San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) and Adeje (Tenerife).

Ms Striewe highlights that, beyond holiday accommodation, there is a vast array of tourist-related infrastructure including access roads, golf courses and desalination plants, which fail to show up in hotel occupancy figures yet remain part of the same problem.

Sharon Backhouse, director of GeoTenerife, told Sky News that the Canary Islands are a “biodiversity jewel in the Atlantic,” yet local authorities provide minimal protection for the islands’ natural habitats.

She warned that each year more “beautiful landscapes are cemented over” to make way for new tourist resorts.

She added: “The problem with these resorts is that we just don’t have enough resources in terms of water, what happens to all the rubbish, how is it all recycled.”

Carmelo Javier León, director of the UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPCG), describes a conflict between those who wish to protect the islands’ natural beauty and “the development of ever more accommodation options.”

The authors of the SOS Costas Canarias report are demanding an immediate halt and the scrapping of planning permissions for undeveloped coastal land.

They argue that the seemingly relentless construction not only obliterates irreplaceable natural habitats and undermines the very scenic beauty that attracted tourists to the islands in the first place, but also dramatically heightens the risk of localised flooding. Approximately 80,000 inhabitants are already vulnerable to coastal flooding risk, yet almost half of flood-susceptible territory has already been designated for housing.

Irma Ferrer, a lawyer for Urban Planning Transparency and Civic Action Against Corruption, highlights that this demonstrates the institutions are failing to operate properly. “In urban planning and environmental matters, legislation is not enacted to defend the public interest,” she complains.

She added that the islands now possess an economy which is essentially “based on the destruction of the land and on speculation.”

Protesters in Tenerife are voicing opposition to the imminent arrival of a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Authorities say the ship will anchor inside Granadilla port. Passengers will be screened before disembarking and being taken directly to evacuation aircraft.

Spain has granted permission for a luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak and anchored off the coast of Cape Verde to sail to the Canary Islands.

Spain’s Ministry of Health said in a statement late on Tuesday that the World Health Organization (WHO) had explained that Cape Verde in West Africa was unable to receive the 147 crew and passengers of the MV Hondius.

“The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities,” it said. “Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”

The ministry said it would receive a medical flight carrying the ship’s doctor, a Dutch national, who it said was gravely ill, following a formal request from the Dutch government.

A Dutch couple and a German national have died of the rare disease, which is usually spread from infected rodents through urine, droppings and saliva, on board the ship in early April. A British national, who was evacuated from the ship, is in intensive care in South Africa, officials said.

Two crew members require urgent medical care, ⁠according to the Dutch-flagged ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions. Another person on board with a suspected case has only reported a mild fever.

Medical evacuations

The Spanish Health Ministry said the MV Hondius will journey on to the Canary Islands once those who need evacuation are taken off the ship.

The Dutch government said earlier on Tuesday that it was preparing to receive the evacuated passengers. Oceanwide Expeditions said the journey to the Canary Islands will take three days of sailing and that the MV Hondius will dock in either Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

When the rest of the crew and passengers arrive in the Canary Islands, they will be examined, treated and repatriated to their respective countries, Spain’s Health Ministry said, in coordination with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO.

All necessary safety measures would be taken, the ministry said, with medical care and transportation provided in special facilities and vehicles to avoid contact with the local population and protect health workers.

According to the WHO, the cruise ship, which set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for Cape Verde, had 88 passengers and 59 crew members from 23 countries on board.

A WHO official said on Tuesday that she suspected some rare human-to-human transmission had occurred between close contacts on board the ship.

“We do believe that there may ⁠be some human-to-human transmission that’s happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva.

Van Kerkhove also sent a direct message to the people on board.

“We just want you to know we are working with the ship’s operators,” she said. “We are working with the countries where you are from. We hear you. We know that you are scared.”

Andes strain

Human-to-human transmission is not common, and the WHO reiterated that ⁠the risk to the wider public was low, adding that it had been told that “there are no rats on board” the ship.

A limited spread among close contacts has been observed in some previous outbreaks of the Andes strain of the virus, which spreads in South America, including Argentina.

Van Kerkhove said the typical incubation period for hantavirus was between one and six weeks, leading the WHO to believe that the Dutch couple, who had been travelling in Argentina before boarding the cruise, “were infected off the ship”.

Other cases may also have been infected while on bird-watching trips to islands where birds and rodents live, the WHO said.

Such trips are part of the cruise.

The Hondius is carrying mostly British, American and Spanish passengers on the luxury cruise, which set off from the southern tip of Argentina in late March.

The cruise visited the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha, some of the remotest islands ‌on the planet.

The voyage was marketed as an Antarctic nature expedition, with berth prices ranging from 14,000 to 22,000 euros ($16,000 to $25,000).

The first stricken passenger, the Dutch man, died on April 11. His body remained on board until April 24, when it “was disembarked on St Helena, with his wife accompanying the repatriation”, Oceanwide Expeditions said.

His wife had gastrointestinal symptoms when she was disembarked, and deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg. She died upon arrival at the emergency department on ‌April ‌26, the WHO said, adding that contact tracing was under way for passengers on the flight.

South African authorities have confirmed that the British patient, who is being treated in a Johannesburg hospital, tested positive for the hantavirus.