Up to 20,000 protestors flooded the streets of Palma de Mallorca on Sunday in a demonstration against the negative impacts of mass tourism on the Balearic island.
Carrying signs that read “Let’s change course and set limits on tourism” and “Your luxury, our misery,” the protestors voiced their concerns over a tourism model they believe is detrimental to the island’s wellbeing.
This latest demonstration adds to a growing movement against mass tourism in Spain. Organizers, representing some 80 social groups, are calling for limitations on tourist numbers in the Balearics, which include Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.
Protestors argue that the current tourism model has overburdened public services, strained natural resources, and driven up housing costs for residents. Placards displayed statistics highlighting the imbalance, with one stating “1,232,014 residents, 18 million tourists.”
This rally comes on the heels of similar protests held across the Balearic archipelago in late May, under the slogan “Our islands are not for sale.” The movement is gaining momentum, urging Spanish authorities to implement stricter regulations on tourism to ensure a more sustainable future for the islands.
Last year, a record 17.8 million people visited the Balearic Islands, both from mainland Spain and abroad. The number of visitors is expected to be even higher this year.
