At least 20,000 people protested in Palma against the current tourism model in Spain, voicing concerns over unsustainable visitor numbers.
- The demonstrators, on the streets of Majorca, demanded changes as they believe tourism is harming the island’s environment and community.
- Slogans during the protest highlighted the impacts on local resources and housing, reflecting the anger towards what is seen as unchecked tourism growth.
- Protesters claimed that public services are at breaking point, urging for policy changes to manage tourism better.
- Similar protests across Spain, including actions in Barcelona, underscore the growing demand for sustainable tourism.
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Palma in Majorca to voice their discontent with the current tourism model, which they argue is detrimental to the island’s environment and society. Their demands were clear: a shift towards more sustainable tourism practices that do not compromise the island’s natural and communal resources.
Banners carried by the protesters bore messages such as ‘Stop destroying Mallorca’ and ‘Your luxury, our misery’, emphasising the perceived disparity between the benefits to tourists and the costs to local residents, which include environmental degradation and a strained housing market.
The sheer number of visitors, reaching a record 17.8 million in 2023, has reportedly put insurmountable pressure on public services, leading to a consensus among protesters that the current tourism model is unsustainable and requires immediate revision.
In Barcelona, activism took a different form as protestors resorted to creatively disruptive tactics such as squirting water at tourists and obstructing hotel operations, suggesting that actions might escalate if concerns are not appropriately addressed. This points to a broader issue within Spain, where popular destinations are grappling with burgeoning tourist numbers.
The mayor of Barcelona proposed an increase in taxes for cruise ship day visitors and overnight tourists as a potential measure to counter the overtourism problem, reflecting a policy-level acknowledgement of the issue and the need for fiscal measures to manage tourism’s impact.
The growing protests in Spain highlight an urgent call for sustainable tourism policies to protect local communities and environments.
