UK tourists in Majorca have been warned there’s nowhere to go after beaches were occupied by protesters. Majorca Daily Bulletin, an island news website, carried photos on Sunday (June 16) of 300 protesters and locals occupying beaches amid growing resentment over “overtourism”.
Anti-tourist sentiment has swept the Balearic Islands in recent weeks and months, and the latest developments this weekend saw locals flock to beaches in a bid to deter Brits from visiting. The Mallorca Platja Tour social media group organised the rally, which began at 8am.
“We want to spend a day at the beach with people from here. To do so we had to come at eight in the morning, otherwise it would have been impossible,” they told the Daily Bulletin. Replying to the story, Brits on social media with holidays booked to Majorca seem concerned.
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One typed: “As usual, two sides to the story but you can appreciate their problems. Perhaps each island has to decide how many weekly visitor permits would keep numbers at a reasonable level… and certainly no more accomodation and no visitor cars or boat taxis.. you walk (or swim).”
“I wonder how long after protesting against the tourists , will be that they protest to the Spainish government that they have got no money to pay for the high housing costs,as no there is no money coming to the island by way of tourists,” a second agreed.
“If I lived somewhere nice like this and had an annual influx of reform-voting types treating my town like a friday night in Weatherspoons I’d probably protest,” another sniped. And another said: “This is a global problem. Take the power away from the corporate holiday companies and hand the power back to local people via councils.
“We must resist this GDP mantra and accept poorer material wealth and tune into our spiritual well being. I can travel a few miles from my home in Southern England and be in stunning nature. Accept the sea may be cold and the sun doesn’t always shine and you will be in an English paradise.”
“Just get the Majorca government to ban holiday homes and stop tourism then they can live in paradise with no economy and live off handouts from the Spanish main land,” another said.