Thousands Protest Against Mass Tourism in Balearic Islands

On Saturday, June 8th, thousands of locals took to the streets of Mallorca and Menorca off the coast of Spain to protest against the impact of mass tourism on their communities. The demonstrations, organized by local groups like GOB Menorca and Prou Eivissa, highlighted issues such as overcrowding, housing shortages, and environmental degradation caused by the influx of tourists. The Balearic Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Spain that includes Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, have seen mass tourism negatively impact the lives of many residents.

In Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, around 10,000 people marched through the capital, Palma, demanding stricter regulations on holiday accommodations. Carme Reines, a protest organizer, stated, “We want the authorities to stop people who have not lived here more than five years from buying properties and to put more controls on holiday accommodation.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Javier Carbonell, a real estate agent, who called for “less mass tourism and more sustainable tourism.”

Menorca saw over 1,000 demonstrators gather at the Plaza de la Biosfera, where they staged a mock beach scene with deckchairs and towels. The protest was aimed at highlighting the problem of Airbnb-style rentals and their contribution to the lack of affordable housing. GOB Menorca, in a statement, condemned “colonizing tourism” for exacerbating congestion and housing issues.

Protesters carried placards with messages in Catalan, such as “whoever loves Menorca doesn’t sell it” and “I can’t swim in the sea because it’s full of boats.” The demonstrations were part of a broader movement across Spain’s island regions, with similar protests occurring in Ibiza and Barcelona over the weekend.

The Balearic Group of Ornithology and Nature Protection (GOB) emphasized the need for sustainable tourism practices. Their spokesperson, Miquel Camps, asserted, “We’re not going to sit back and do nothing if our politicians are not capable of putting the brakes on the tourist saturation.” This movement is gaining momentum as residents across the Balearic Islands demand more control over the tourism industry which significantly affects their quality of life.

In recent months, anti-tourism sentiments have been growing, leading to various protests and campaigns aimed at curbing the negative impacts of tourism. The latest protests underscore the urgent need for balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of local communities and environments.

As the summer season approaches, more demonstrations are expected, with a major protest planned for July 21. This coordinated effort across the Balearic Islands aims to bring greater attention to the challenges posed by mass tourism and to advocate for sustainable solutions that protect both the residents and the environment.