Some vacationers are rethinking their plans to visit Majorca, the famous island getaway, due to anti-tourist rallies. Following massive protests over mass tourism, a recent survey indicated that vacationers will think twice before planning a holiday to the famous island. Despite the activists’ demands for more affordable housing and fewer vacation houses, almost half of the 650 people who took the survey indicated they were unswayed by the protestors and would continue to visit as tourists.
Anti-tourist demonstrators have encircled the beaches of Majorca in a recent campaign to drive away non-natives. “Ocupem Les Nostres Platges,” which means “We occupy our beaches,” was written on umbrellas with residents and their families gathering under them. Majorca Beach Tour, whose name means “Mallorca Platja Tour,” had previously called on residents to “occupy” the beaches of the island in a move to draw attention to the problem of overpopulation.
Manuela Canadas, a spokesman for the extreme right-wing party Vox in the regional parliament of the Balearic Islands, seemed to have made remarks that ignited the demonstration. She continued that the locals of Majorca, who rely on tourists for their livelihood, would not be able to enjoy the beach as much as they formerly did in the summer months.
Protesters against tourism have warned Majorcans in the past not to share the island’s beautiful beaches with outsiders on social media. In the last month, stickers reading “Don’t tag this beach, b***h!” have been seen affixed to beach gates.
According to travel agency TUI, the Balearic Islands have “reached capacity,” and potential visitors are urged to seek out other destinations. Last weekend, up to 10,000 protesters gathered in Palma’s streets, calling for restrictions on the city’s tourism.
In April, around 50,000 protesters flooded the streets of Tenerife in the Canary Islands to oppose tourism on the island, continuing anti-protests elsewhere in Spain. Many people are speaking out against mass tourism, arguing that it is lowering wages, damaging the environment, and creating housing shortages. Foreigners have squeezed some locals out of inexpensive homes, forcing them to live in tents and automobiles.