Tens of thousands protest on Mallorca against mass tourism
Every Year, Millions of Tourists Visit Mallorca. Mass Tourism Brings More and More Frustration for the Locals.
Millions of people took to the streets of Mallorca to protest against mass tourism. The police estimated the number of participants at 20,000, while the organizers spoke of 50,000. Observers on site considered the latter figure too high.
People held signs with slogans like "Your luxury, our misery" ("Your Luxury, Our Misery") or "We don't want to be the pioneers in the rise of housing costs." A sign criticized budget airlines. The demonstrators set off from Parc Ses Estacions in Palma and made their way through the old town.
Tourists, whom the demonstrators passed by, were reportedly impressed, according to the "Mallorca Newspaper." Some even encouraged them with applause. Others found the demonstration rather unpleasant.
18 Million Tourists on the Balearic Islands
On the Balearic Islands, whose main island is Mallorca, there are about 1.2 million residents. In the past year, they were visited by 18 million tourists, of whom 4.6 million were from Germany and 3.4 million from the United Kingdom. Or rather, invaded, as more and more locals see it.
Called to the demonstration was a group called "Less Tourism, More Life." According to Marga Ramis, one of the leaders of the movement, over 100 local associations and organizations have joined, as reported by the "Mallorca Newspaper."
Eight weeks ago, up to 25,000 people had already demonstrated in Palma under the slogans "Say no!" and "Mallorca is not for sale!" Unrest is also brewing in other Spanish tourist metropolises like Barcelona and Malaga, as well as on the Canary Islands.
Tourism Brings Billions to the Island
For Mallorca, tourism is undeniably crucial. The industry accounts for 45% of the island's economic output. And the tourism industry warns against cutting off the branch on which many are sitting. They inject around 20 billion euros into the island's economy.
However, demonstrators complain that only a minority benefits, while the vast majority receive low-wage jobs in the tourism industry that do not cover the increasingly expensive housing. In addition, traffic jams, noise, and dirt wear on the nerves of the islanders.
"I understand the discontent of many residents, but I ask that such demonstrations do not, like in Barcelona, turn into vandalism against tourists and residents," said the conservative regional governor of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, to the "Mallorca Newspaper."
In the Mediterranean metropolis of Barcelona, several thousand demonstrators demanded restrictions on the tourism industry at the beginning of the month due to ever-rising housing and living costs. Guests of popular restaurants for tourists were sprayed with water pistols.
"Tourists go home. You are not welcome" ("Tourists, go home. You are not welcome") was written on carried signs. The socialist mayor, Jaume Collboni, wants to increase the tax for cruise tourists and no longer renew licenses for vacation rentals.
- The protests in Mallorca, led by the group "Less Tourism, More Life," gained international attention, with participants voicing concerns over the impact of mass tourism on local life and affordability of housing.
- As a result of the protests and international discussions, there have been calls for the tourism industry in Spain, specifically in Mallorca and other tourist metropolises like Barcelona and Malaga, to become more sustainable and equitable, benefiting both locals and tourists.
