Anti-tourism protests in Majorca show no signs of abating as the island’s residents took to beaches this weekend to complain about the effects of mass tourism.
Similar protests have taken place in tourist hotspots across the country all summer, with residents complaining that the influx of visitors has contributed to rising house prices, overrun healthcare and disrespectful behaviour.
One protester said: “From the disappearance of local culture, the increasing cost of living, the impossibility to live here, and the worsening of public services, many tourists understand this because they are aware of what it means in their home places.”
This Sunday, campaigners from ‘Occupem Les Nostres Platges’ (Occupy our beaches) organised a demonstration on a popular beach where more than 100 protesters laid out their towels and took a symbolic dip in the sea, calling for stricter limits on tourism.
One protester explained the concerns of many on the broader impact of mass tourism. She said: “From the disappearance of local culture, the increasing cost of living, the impossibility to live here, and the worsening of public services, many tourists understand this because they are aware of what it means in their home places.”
Anti-tourist sentiments seem to have extended towards contributions to the local economy with residents in the town of Santanyí complaining of too many visitors to the town’s Saturday and Sunday market.
Speaking to IB3 television, a publicly funded Balearic station, residents complained that too many visitors prevents locals from accessing the market and prevents emergency vehicles gaining access in the event of an emergency.
The concerns were dismissed by the local council who highlighted the measure it has taken to mitigate any potential risk caused by busy streets.
The country has seen an increase in anti-tourist demonstrations in the last year, with protesters targeting tourists directly as they seek to draw attention to their cause.
Last year, campaigners erected fake signs on popular beaches warning tourists to stay away. One person involved said: “We have come here to demand that residents should be able to enjoy our beaches, which nowadays are only enjoyed by tourists.”
In Barcelona, tourists in restaurants were faced with demonstrations outside with some spraying visitors with water guns in an attempt to disrupt their meal. Videos circulating online showed many diners forced to leave due to the disturbance.
For all the criticism of tourism, it is the key driver of the economy of many areas of Spain. In Majorca for example, 2023 saw a record breaking 14 million holiday makers visiting the Island, with no signs that that number is set to decrease this year.
In response, the Balearic Government has created a joint committee with representatives from the tourism sector and civil society to work on ways to curb the impact of tourism.
Changes include enhanced controls against illegal tourist accommodation, with 27 new inspectors and fines of up to €80,000 for violations.