Politicians in the Balearic Islands are considering measures to ‘contain’ growing visitor numbers (Image: Getty)
Visitors to popular Spanish destinations are likely to face and new rules this summer, with many local governments considering fresh legislation to tackle the problematic waves of tourists forecast to head to their shores this summer.
Amid estimates that holiday hotspots like Menorca, and Ibiza could experience an influx of 20 million people this year, politicians in the Balearics are considering “tourism containment” measures to avoid “uncontrolled overcrowding.” On Friday, the governing People’s Party is set to propose a package of new measures, expected to include a fresh tourism tax on overnight stays on the islands and more police powers to uncover illegal tourist rentals.
Among the legislative proposals being considered is a ban on foreign vehicles entering Mallorca, following similar measures implemented in other landmasses in the such as Ibiza and Formentera. But striking a balance will be key for lawmakers, with tourist spending on the islands reaching £18 billion in 2024 – accounting for 43 per cent of the local economy.
But in a bid to prevent and limit the pressure that the booming holiday rental market places on rent prices for locals, ministers are considering whether to restrict the flow of visitors through airports, or even placing additional taxes on some locations or activities in an attempt to shift the millions of holidaymakers. Tourism Minister Jaume Bauza, after 2024’s record-breaking numbers, said ahead of the proposals: “We have certainly reached our limit.”
Holidaymakers spent £18 billion in the Balearics in 2024, with tourism making up 43% of its economy (Image: Getty)
Bauza backed the idea of containing or restricting the flow of visitors, saying: “For some time now, the Government has considered that the only way we have to grow is by doing so in quality and not in quantity, and we believe that it is possible to make a transition towards a more sustainable model that is committed to the environment.”
Politicians in the Balearic’s Autonomous Communities are bowing to pressure from widespread protests and demonstrations from their residents over the impact of overtourism on local services and housing – which boiled over last summer with protesters storming beaches to tell tourists to “go home.”
But it emerged this week that these protests have fallen flat. Holiday bookings for the Balearics have skyrocketed, jumping 20 per cent in one week with people who are tired of the February gloom choosing the islands for their summer break.
Due to this continuing rise, these yet-to-be-finalised measures are likely to receive cross-party support, with even the islands’ opposition socialist party (PSOE) decrying the “excess” visitor number .”Tourism is positive and our economic future depends on it,” Llorenç Pou, head of economic affairs for the Balearic PSOE told He added: “But this wealth is not distributed as it should be and overcrowding generates social and environmental costs; there is an excess of tourists.”
However, with similar measures already in place across Europe and other Spanish destinations, it is unclear how this extra financial burden on holidaymakers will stem the ever-growing numbers and skyrocketing rental prices. Or, as one resident asked, “What if instead of banning [tourists], they start building public housing?”