Thousands of people took to the streets to protest against mass tourism on the island of Mallorca on Sunday (July 21).
Pushback against holidaymakers in Spain has been simmering over the past few weeks. The demonstration called for limits on tourist numbers and on AirBnB-type short rental accommodation pushing up rentals for locals..
Protestors carried signs that read, “Tourists we love you when you don’t buy our land,” and “Your paradise is our nightmare,” while marching through the city of Palma de Mallorca, on the south coast of the island, reports CNN Travel.
Organisers Menys Turisme, Mas Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), claimed that around 50 000 people took part in the protest, but police put the figure at around 12 000.
The demonstration included around 110 groups and social movements who want limits to be placed on excessive tourism in the Balearic Islands, the main three islands of which are Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.
The organisers claim the island’s tourism model “impoverishes workers and enriches only a few.”
They demanded an alternative tourism model, alongside access to decent housing, the improvement of public services and the conservation and regeneration of natural areas.
This comes amid growing tensions over the impact of tourism on local areas in Spain, as reported by Travel News.