Mallorca residents urge tourists to pause visits amid crisis
Groups of Mallorca residents are appealing to tourists not to visit the island due to environmental overload. Each year, several million tourists fly there.
Mallorca residents, concerned about tourism's impact on their island, have issued an open letter to tourists asking them to consider canceling their visits. According to The Mirror, groups such as SOS Residents and Menys Turisme Més Vida are calling attention to the negative consequences of the mass influx of tourists.
In the letter, residents emphasize that Mallorca, once known as the "island of tranquility," is now struggling with problems caused by excessive visitors. The increase in tourists has led to environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, and rising living costs.
Resident groups point out that the number of tourists has increased by more than 30 percent over the last 25 years, but this does not translate into increased wealth for residents. On the contrary, the Balearic Islands have fallen from 48th to 148th in the European per capita income ranking.
Mallorca residents call on authorities to regulate tourism, but their voices go unanswered. They highlight that politicians promote tourism while ignoring the local community's problems. "We don't need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem," they write.
In 2024, Palma de Mallorca Airport handled over 33 million passengers, and the number of tourists in 2025 is expected to increase by another 6 percent. Residents fear the situation will become unbearable if appropriate measures are not taken.
The future of Mallorca
Mallorca residents call on tourists to understand their situation and are appealing for responsibility.
"Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourselves in our place," they write in the letter.
Mallorca is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, ideal for relaxation. Golden sands, azure waters, and a mild climate make coastal tourism one of the island's main attractions.
You can find quiet, intimate beaches and more touristy spots along the coast like Playa de Palma or Cala Millor. For water sports enthusiasts, Mallorca is also a paradise—surfing, sailing, diving, or parasailing are just some of the activities available here.
