Mallorca – Protests Against Mass Tourism

Some people may think: “What are they doing? They’ve been profiting from tourists for years and now they want to get rid of them?”

If you look at the beginning of tourism on Mallorca in the 1960s and 1970s, it is undisputed that tourists brought a booming economy and thus growing wealth to the island. Numerous jobs were created, and people from all over Spain moved to Mallorca in search of employment. The standard of living for the locals rose rapidly. However, over the years, manufacturing and agriculture continued to decline, increasing the island’s dependence on tourism, which remains vital for Mallorca today, as it is for many other regions and countries.

The negative side effects of the constant and uncontrolled increase in the flow of visitors soon followed and have escalated in recent years, partly due to low-cost airlines. The beautiful landscape of the island changed massively. Huge hotel complexes were built, and the rest of the infrastructure also had to be adapted. The demand for food, energy, and water increased, with the water situation becoming critical in many areas. Environmental pollution, including air pollution, sewage, traffic, and noise, has also risen. Alongside these problems, the stress on the local population has increased.

Residents of Mallorca are increasingly struggling to find affordable housing. Land and homeowners prefer to rent to well-paying tourists or sell to wealthy foreigners. As a result, many Mallorcans are often left living in their cars or caravans, parked on the side of the road where tourists are unlikely to look. This housing issue is exacerbated by insufficient wages. The high income from the holiday business is often pocketed by international hotel chains or rich investors, rather than flowing into the island’s economy and benefiting its residents, which could otherwise increase regional income and social status.

There is talk of Mallorca being sold out, a lack of quality of life, and social and ecological collapse. The demands of the population are understandable: people are asking and fighting to regulate the flow of visitors and to end the overloading of the environment and residents. They seek to ensure that residents can return to a liveable environment in a respectful manner. Slowly, these concerns are reaching tourism companies and associations. It is important to consider not only the needs of holidaymakers but also those of the local population to enable harmonious coexistence.

Other regions are also suffering from the increasing flow of tourists. Venice, for example, charges a tourism tax for day tourists and denies cruise ships access to the historic part of the city. In Amsterdam and Barcelona, overtourism is occurring, driven by numerous booking platforms. Countries such as Iceland and ports such as Dubrovnik or Santorini are also affected by this phenomenon. The demonstrations on Mallorca and the Canary Islands are just one example of a global problem.

It is high time to rethink tourism. Sustainable tourism is in everyone’s interest: travel responsibly, respect the environment, culture, and people, and minimize the negative social, ecological, and economic impacts of tourism.

“Our heads are round so thoughts can change direction.” (Francis Picabia)

The world is looking forward to welcoming you.