Mallorca residents rally against mass tourism and rising costs
This past weekend, nearly 10,000 protesters took to the streets of Mallorca. Residents demonstrated their discontent with the increasing number of tourists and the impact of mass tourism on the island's life and local environment.
8:01 AM EDT, May 28, 2024
"Mallorca is not for sale" was the main slogan of the protests on Saturday, May 25. The initiators were local associations and tourism organizations who wanted to express their opposition to mass tourism.
Fewer tourists and restrictions for developers
Among the demonstrators' key demands is the introduction of an ecological tax on tourism. The goal is to protect the natural environment and ensure the region's sustainable development.
– We are not against tourism itself. We have nothing against the people who come and respect our island – said one of the protest organizers, a representative of a local environmental organization, as quoted by Euronews.
The demonstrators also want to limit the number of tourists visiting the island by introducing appropriate restrictions and fewer new hotels and short-term rental properties. This would increase rental prices and real estate costs, impacting residents' daily lives.
Residents called on authorities to act
Nearly 10,000 people participated in the protests. Demonstrators called on local authorities and government representatives to take immediate action to improve residents' lives and protect the natural environment. The current tourism model, in their view, leads to the degradation of natural resources.
