Spanish tourism leaders have gathered in London to reassure UK visitors that they remain a 'priority' for Spain, amidst growing concerns over overtourism and anti-tourism protests in popular destinations. Rosario Sánchez Grau, Spain's secretary of state for tourism, emphasized the importance of the UK-Spain tourism relationship, stating, 'We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors. It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future.'

The event, attended by mayors from Spain's most popular coastal areas and top travel executives, aimed to address the challenges posed by overtourism. Manuel Butler, the director of the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, highlighted the need to differentiate between local tensions and the overall welcoming nature of Spain. 'The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists,' Butler remarked, pointing out that protests in cities like Barcelona and Palma de Majorca stem from broader societal issues such as housing pressures and environmental strain.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, voiced concerns over the impact of anti-tourism protests on UK holidaymakers. Heapy noted a growing perception among some that overseas visitors are not welcome in Spain, a sentiment fueled by demonstrations featuring messages like 'tourists go home.' He also criticized 'unlicensed tourism,' particularly through platforms like Airbnb, for exacerbating local tensions by driving up rental rates and bypassing regulations. 'Airbnb can be controlled. They don't rule the world,' Heapy asserted, advocating for stricter legislation and hefty fines for non-compliance.

The discussions in London underscore the delicate balance between sustaining Spain's vital tourism industry and addressing the legitimate concerns of local communities. With both Spanish officials and UK travel leaders committed to finding solutions, the focus is now on implementing measures that ensure Spain remains a welcoming destination for tourists while mitigating the impacts of overtourism. As the dialogue continues, the hope is that these efforts will preserve the cherished UK-Spain tourism relationship for years to come.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.