10,000 took to the streets

The locals in Mallorca have Earlier this summer He protested against mass tourism, stating that tourism led, among other things, to higher house prices and pollution.

The organization “Less Tourism, More Life” organized a demonstration in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday, and demonstrations have also been announced in other parts of the Balearic archipelago.

They took to the streets

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the popular holiday island on Sunday evening. Large parts of the city centre were closed to traffic, and you could read the anti-mass tourism slogans that are so characteristic of the area on posters.

About 10,000 protesters took part in the Mallorca demonstration on Sunday, according to Spanish police.

The demonstration was organized by Pere Joan Femenia.

– Mass tourism makes it difficult for locals who cannot afford to live on their own island because tourist apartments drive up prices. Tourists fill the beaches and strain public services in the summer, Femenia added. Reuters.

– Leah is getting taller and taller

Before Sunday's protest, it was BBC In connection with many residents who believe that housing costs are increasing as homes are bought by foreigners, or rented to them for large parts of the summer.

– Rents are getting higher and higher, Sonia Ruiz tells the host.

Sonia brought her one-year-old son with her and was attending the demonstration. She says she is separated, but still lives with her partner because they cannot afford a separate apartment.

– There are a lot of people looking for an apartment they can afford. Some even told me they don't want children, they don't want pets.

New city hit

The protests aren't just in Mallorca. In July, locals in Barcelona and Alicante expressed their opinion on mass tourism.

“I have nothing against tourists, but here in Barcelona we suffer from an overabundance of tourism that has made our city uninhabitable,” said one resident.

There are tourists all year round.

DinSide previously contacted Karina Rehn, a tourism researcher and professor at Aalborg University, who explained that responsibility lies primarily at the political and business levels.

– Mallorca and other Mediterranean areas have a long tradition of mass tourism since the 1960s, and the island is largely shaped by tourism – economically, socially and culturally. However, there are many who do not feel that tourism improves their quality of life and well-being, but rather harms them.

disappear from the beaches

She pointed out that there has been a significant increase in tourism in recent years, and that the number of tourists is constantly increasing.

– This means that tourists are not only a nuisance in a limited season, but they are a huge pressure both in peak season and off-peak season. There are tourists all year round.

According to the professor, tourists are not only present in limited tourist areas as was the case in the past.

– Because there are big travel companies and other booking platforms, they are everywhere, and suddenly they are competing with tourists in the housing market, where tourists pay more rent than locals. So this is also a housing crisis.