Holidaymakers faced off with protesters last summer as some Mallorca residents took to the beach to tell tourists to ‘go home’ (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Mallorca’s idyllic image was tarnished by a series of angry anti-tourism protests last summer, with some 20,000 locals hitting the streets to voice their concerns about spiralling rents and overcrowding. This year seems to set the stage for further as activists gear up for what’s being dubbed another ‘summer of discontent’.
The group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) is orchestrating a significant gathering this coming weekend to plot out a strategy ahead of a season predicted to break new records in the Balearic islands. Potent issues such as the deepening housing crisis, unemployment, and the detrimental effects of tourism on the environment will be on the agenda.
In a fiery statement, the organisation slated the Balearic leaders for prioritising profits above the well-being of residents, stating: “After seeing the government’s new tourist campaign, the announcements of billion-dollar investments, and the boom in property speculation and it’s clear that policies only favour land liberalisation and business interests.”
The group condemned prior attempts at promoting sustainable tourism as ineffective, arguing that these initiatives have failed to control the inflow of visitors or curb the proliferation of short-term lets, leaving many locals priced out of the housing market. Last year alone saw tourists descending on in unprecedented numbers, topping 15 million.
Protests against the effects of overtourism rocked Mallorca in 2024 (Image: Getty Images)
The anti-tourism movement in the Balearic and Canary Islands is gaining momentum, with both island groups joining forces to tackle the problems caused by the massive influx of visitors. According to the they are working together on legislation to address issues such as illegal property rentals and overcrowding in popular areas.
This move comes after a wave of protests across Spain against the negative impacts of overtourism. However, it remains to be seen whether the new legislation will effectively address the concerns of locals.
Despite existing measures such as tourist taxes and registration requirements for short-term holiday lets, it is estimated that around two million visitors to the Balearics last year avoided these regulations by staying in unregistered accommodation, resulting in lost revenue for the government and exacerbating the overcrowding issue.
A travel expert commented: “Not only is the Balearic government losing out on a massive amount of revenue, tourists staying in holiday apartments also appear to be adding to the overcrowding problem.”
Mallorca locals protested across the summer, blaming the cost of living crisis on neverending waves of tourists (Image: Getty Images)
Yet, the maze of regulations for Brits travelling to Spain post- and post-pandemic has complicated matters for many.
One British holiday homeowner remarked: “I have had a home in Mallorca for 16 years, I can only spend 90 days in 180 within the EU so I come and go far more frequently than I would like to, and when I am not using my home you can be damn sure I allow my children, their friends and my extended family and friends to stay there.”