This British man is called a 'hypocrite' for leading Tenerife's anti-tourism fanatics

A British ex-pat living in Tenerife has been accused of hypocrisy for leading an anti-tourism campaign that supports a tax on holidaymakers coming to the popular Spanish island.

Brian Harrison, who originally hails from Bridgend, South Wales, is the secretary general of Salvar La Tejita - an organization that aims to limit the tourists allowed to come to the Canaries. (source: The Daily Mail UK)

It was started in 2016 to protest against a new hotel being built in the southern Tenerife beauty spot where Brian lives but has since grown into an influential force.

Thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets this summer as part of anti-tourism protests across the country, including in the Canaries, Balearics, and Barcelona - where visitors were even sprayed with water guns by angry locals. (according to the The Daily Mail UK)

People march on a street during a demonstration for a change in the tourism model in the Canary IslandsPhoto byWikimedia Commons, Daily Mail UK

But UK holidaymakers are unlikely to expect to see a fellow Brit among protesters' ranks, with Mr Harrison admitting that he is frequently asked: 'Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical?' (source: The Daily Mail UK)

La Gomera is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of AfricaPhoto byReinhard Link, creative commons attributions

'I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere,' the 57-year-old ex-pat, who has lived in Spain for 30 years, explained to the Telegraph.

'I didn't just go on holiday to Spain and stay there, I made a plan to move here when I was in my early twenties and I've lived here for most of my life,' he said.

He admitted he understands that his involvement seems ironic, but argued that the number of years he has lived in the country entitles him to campaign on the issues.

'Why wouldn't anyone want to take care of a place they've lived in for over 30 years?' the Welsh engineer said. (source: the Telegraph, The Daily Mail UK)

Tourist train in Playa de las Américas, TenerifePhoto byPhotograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net).

He denied claims that his group is completely against tourists, saying that instead, it is taking issue with the number of people flocking to his adopted home.

Mr Harrison said that the number of people coming to Tenerife every year was around two million when he first arrived in 1991, but that the number has since jumped to around six million.

'The problem is not the people who come here, but the huge numbers of people who come to the volume. For an island that has limited space, it is unsustainable. This is the problem,' he said. (according to The Daily Mail UK)

In an interview on Good Morning Britain, Brian said: "Tourists are always welcome here, there will be no hostility. But obviously action needs to be taken."

He continued saying the authorities "have to take action to limit tourism, to make tourism sustainable" after years of neglect. (source: The Sun UK)

Locals say they cannot afford to buy a home and blame the government for allowing holiday rentals and accommodation construction to drive up housing costs. (source: The Sun UK)