- Opponents of mass tourism demonstrate at Ballermann
On Mallorca, locals have once again protested against mass tourism. Around a hundred people symbolically occupied the beach of the Ballermann, which is particularly popular among Germans.
"We want to remind, even if only for a few hours, that the beach belongs to all Mallorcans," activist Eloy told the "Diario de Mallorca". Tourists taking photos of the action and signs like "Occupy our beaches" or simply "Enough" understood this. "The action is not against them, but against the tourism model," said Eloy.
Such actions on beaches have already taken place several times on the favorite holiday island of many Germans: Several tens of thousands of people participated in two peaceful demonstrations in Palma against the excesses of tourism in May and June.
Similar protest actions also took place in other tourist centers in Spain. Critics complain in particular about the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing due to the mass influx of tourists.
So far, all demonstrations have been peaceful. However, ugly graffiti slogans have also appeared on Mallorca, as reported by the "Mallorcamagazin" and the "Mallorca Zeitung". "Kill A Tourist" or "Tourism makes free" in German. Apparently a reference to the cynical Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" above the entrances to concentration camps.
The protestors in Palma, like those in Mallorca, are voicing their concerns about the impact of mass tourism, specifically addressing the high cost of living and housing scarcity. Moreover, initiatives against excessive tourism have spread beyond Mallorca, reaching other tourist hotspots in Spain.
