Mallorca Overcrowded: Thousands of People Protest Against Mass Tourism
A large-scale protest against the consequences of mass tourism took place in Palma, the capital of the Spanish island. Participants claim that the excessive number of tourists causes a housing crisis, worsens the environmental situation, and lowers the quality of life for local residents. This was reported by dpa.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Palma
Initially, demonstrators gathered in the center of Palma — the island’s capital — and then marched through the central streets to the cathedral. Later in the evening, the organizers planned to read a manifesto there.
According to local police estimates, about 25,000 people participated in the event.
Protests have been ongoing for the third consecutive year
The protests were called for by the initiative Menys Turisme, Més Vida ("Less Tourism, More Life"), which this year held the event under the slogan "Mallorca on the Edge."
Organizers have been holding such demonstrations on the island for the third year in a row, which remains one of the most popular tourist destinations for visitors from Germany and the United Kingdom.
Many participants held homemade signs reading "Mallorca Overcrowded" and "No More Space."
A spokesperson for the organizers told journalists that, given the upcoming regional elections in the Balearic Islands scheduled for next year, they aim to convey their position to the authorities.
Why local residents are protesting
The timing of the event was chosen deliberately — it took place at the peak of the tourist season. Late July and early August are traditionally the periods of the highest influx of tourists to the Balearic Islands.
The main demand of the protesters is to limit the number of tourists. In their opinion, the growth of tourist flow and the development of holiday rental housing have become one of the main reasons for the acute shortage of affordable housing.
Organizers note that because of this, many residents with average incomes can barely afford to rent or buy housing on the island.
Other problems associated with mass tourism
Public associations, environmental organizations, and other activists also joined the protests. They believe that mass tourism not only causes a housing crisis but also increases environmental pollution, traffic congestion, noise pollution, and negatively impacts the island’s natural environment.
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