Sunday, December 22, 2024

Ibiza and Majorca chaos as UK tourists ‘can’t even put down a towel’

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She added: “Ibiza and Mallorca in particular get super busy once school lets out for the summer. We went to Majorca one August, thinking it would be a little quieter, but boy were we wrong.

“The beaches were so full you could barely find a spot to lay your towel.”

In addition to crowded beaches, the influx of tourists has put a strain on the islands’ infrastructure. Local residents are struggling to find affordable housing, as tourism drives up rents.

Wayne Kask, the CEO of Always On The Shore, shared his own experience of the growing pressures on Majorca.

He told the Express: “Take Palma de Majorca. The narrow streets that once welcomed visitors with open arms are now teeming with complaints.

“I remember chatting with a local shop owner there who vented about how the influx has made it impossible for her to find affordable housing.”

The effects of overtourism aren’t just limited to the beaches and housing. The pressure is also affecting public services on the islands.

In May, protesters in Ibiza took to the streets to demand a cap on tourist numbers.

Rafael Jimenez, a spokesperson for the protest group Prou Ibiza, explained: “A side effect of mass tourism is that house prices are rising.

“More restaurants require more workers, but these workers require places to live, and there are ten looking for every place.”

With tourists flocking to Ibiza and Majorca, some local workers have been forced to live in caravans or even leave the island altogether.

Jimenez himself moved to mainland Spain after becoming disillusioned with the effects of tourism.

He added: “We feel that tourism is taking public places. It is very expensive.”

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