Thousands Protest Against Tourism in Majorca

This past weekend, approximately 15,000 residents of Majorca protested against tourism in the island’s capital, Palma. The demonstration was organized by Banc del Temps and other activist groups concerned about the rising cost of housing and the impact of mass tourism on the local community.

As the protesters marched from a nearby park to Weyler Square, they carried banners with messages like “Salvem Mallorca, guiris arruix” (“Let’s save Majorca, foreigners out”) and “Mallorca is not for sale.” Demonstrators voiced their frustrations, chanting “Tourists go home” as they paraded past crowded restaurants and bars.

The protest comes amid increasing tensions over the impact of tourism on property prices. Many locals, such as mother-of-three Patri Vecina, have been forced to leave the island due to skyrocketing rents and property values, which have been driven up by the demand for holiday rentals. A typical house that cost £126,000 a decade ago now averages £263,000, according to Spanish property site Fotocasa.

The Banc del Temps group is calling for changes to housing policies, including restricting property purchases to residents who have lived in the Balearic Islands for at least five years and imposing a moratorium on new holiday rentals.

A spokesperson for Banc del Temps, Javier Barbero, emphasized that more protests will follow if their demands are not met. The sentiment against mass tourism is mirrored in nearby Ibiza, where around 1,000 people recently demonstrated against the same issues. Activist groups in both regions are advocating for measures to control tourism and ensure affordable housing for locals.

Overall, the protests represent a significant pushback from Majorca and Ibiza residents who are grappling with the adverse effects of a booming tourist industry on their quality of life.