In Mallorca, 25,000 people took to the streets to protest against mass tourism
On the Spanish island of Mallorca, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against mass tourism. The demonstrators called on the authorities to limit the number of visitors, arguing that the influx of tourists is causing a housing crisis, worsening environmental conditions, and lowering the quality of life for local residents.
The protest took place on the evening of July 27 in Palma, the capital of the Balearic Islands. Participants first gathered in the city center, then marched in a procession to the cathedral, where the organizers read a manifesto. According to local police estimates, about 25,000 people took part in the demonstration.
The protest was organized by the Menys Turisme, Més Vida (“Less Tourism, More Life”) movement, which has been holding similar demonstrations for the third consecutive year. This year’s demonstration was held under the slogan “Mallorca at the Brink.”
Participants held homemade signs reading “Mallorca is Overcrowded” and “There’s No More Room,” expressing their dissatisfaction with the consequences of excessive tourist traffic on the island, which is particularly popular among tourists from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A spokesperson for the organizers stated that the protest was deliberately held at the height of the summer tourist season, when the number of vacationers in the Balearic Islands is at its peak. In addition, he said, the protest is intended to draw the attention of politicians ahead of regional elections to be held in a year.
The protesters’ main demand was the introduction of restrictions on tourist numbers. They argue that due to the rapid growth in the number of tourists and the proliferation of short-term rentals, it is becoming increasingly difficult for local residents to find affordable housing.
Civil society and environmental organizations also link mass tourism to a number of other problems, including environmental pollution, traffic congestion, noise, and the destruction of the island’s natural ecosystems.
This was reported by dpa.
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