Thousands protest against mass tourism in Mallorca

Many locals protested on Sunday evening in the Mallorcan, capital of Palma against the millions of tourists that descend on the Spanish Mediterranean Island every summer.

According to local observers, the turnout was slightly lower compared to the large demonstration held eight weeks ago, when organizers estimated around 25,000 participants.

During the protest organized by “Less Tourism, More Life” organization, demonstrators held signs with messages like ‘‘your luxury, our misery’’.

According to the poster advertising the protest representing the islands, almost 1 million residents showed private jets, cruise ships and luxury yachts all circling the island like a swarm of flies.

However, the Balearic Islands have a resident population of almost 1.2 million. Last year, 18 million holidaymakers visited, 4.6 million from Germany and 3.4 million from the United Kingdom.

According to police reports Just eight weeks ago, 10,000 people took to the streets of Palma under the slogans “Enough is enough!” and “Mallorca Is Not for Sale!”.

The organizers claimed there were 25,000 participants.

There have also been demonstrations against ever-increasing mass tourism in other Spanish tourist hotspots such as Barcelona and Málaga, as well as on the Canary Islands.

Spanish media have reported on the conditions facing the locals. “I work in maintaining a luxury villa for English people and earn between €1,500 [$1,630] and €1,800 a month,” a resident of Ibiza told El Pais newspaper.

He moved out of his home in February unable to pay monthly rent for a room of around €1,000. Since then, he has been sleeping in a caravan behind a Swedish furniture outlet and showering at a friend’s place.

His neighbors, also in caravans, earn similar amounts. “Welcome to Ibiza,” with its two worlds of top nightclubs and life on the parking area, El Pais wrote.

Regional government head Marga Prohens told local media that she had understanding for the protests.

“But I ask that these demonstrations do not turn into vandalism against holidaymakers and residents, the way they did in Barcelona,” she said.

The Barcelona protesters sprayed patrons at restaurants used by tourists with water pistols and waved placards with “Tourists go home. You are not welcome,” written in English.