27 May, 2024 @ 12:24
1 min read

‘Historic’ anti-tourism march in Mallorca: 10,000 locals take to the streets demanding change to ‘destructive’ industry

MALLORCA has seen a historic anti-tourism march with 10,000 locals taking to the streets to demand change to the ‘destructive’ effects of tourism. 

ON Saturday, May 25, thousands of locals gathered in Palma de Mallorca under the slogan ‘Mallorca isn’t for sale’. 

It started at 07:00pm at Parc de Ses Estacions and finished at the Passeig des Born. 

This was the first time a protest was organised by the Sencelles Banc del Temps (Time Bank) collective, a community organisation designed to allow locals to exchange time and labour. 

READ MORE: Spain’s ‘anti-tourism’ protests move to Mallorca: Activists plan a huge demonstration on the Balearic island 

Young and old took to the streets to protest the affects of mass tourism.
Photo: Facebook

It follows action in the Canary Islands last month, where some 57,000 residents gathered to protest against mass tourism. 

The principal complaint amongst locals is the lack of affordable housing caused by a surplus of Airbnbs, hotels and tourist lets. 

Posters read: ‘Our ancestors land is for sale’ and ‘It’s not tourismphobia, it’s Mallorcacide’, while protestors shouted: “No, no, they will not force us out of Mallorca.” 

One local told Ultima Hora: “I’m sick of it. Politicians don’t want to get involved so the general public has had to take a stand. They are taking away our homes.” 

READ MORE: ‘We’re not coming back’: British tourists blast drink prices in Mallorca for being ‘much more expensive’ following the Covid pandemic

For young people, the situation is particularly dire.

Locals relate how they are ‘stuck’ living with their parents due to high rent prices. 

According to the Banc del Temps spokespeople, Javier Barbero and Carme Reynes: “Foreign investors are honing in on the interior area of the Island because it’s the only charming bit left to buy.”

They demand ‘necessary emergency measures to be put in place immediately’ to solve the issue. 

These include: declaring Mallorca a ‘stressed’ real estate area, the approval of a moratorium on tourist lets and standard of living guarantees. 

“People are really suffering and we don’t trust this government to change the tourism model.” 

READ MORE: ‘Anti-tourism’ movement in Spain spreads to Granada: Locals blast ‘invasion’ of visitors making the city ‘unliveable’ – while more graffiti emerges

Yzabelle Bostyn

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

1 Comment

  1. Brits stay away and let them get their stuff in order, ill not go where i am not welcome. they think they have a problem at least we spend money there unlike the ones that come to our country.

    Location : Manchester

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