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Date Published: 31/05/2024

Mallorca residents vow to stop tourists from going to the beach this summer

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The Spanish island has been caught in waves of protests over tourist saturation recently

Mallorca residents vow to stop tourists from going to the beach this summer

The popular holiday island of Mallorca in Spain’s Mediterranean Sea is witnessing a surge of public action and political debate over its long-standing tourism model, which has led to concerns about overcrowding.

Mallorca residents, organised by the Mallorca Platja Tour collective, are planning a major protest to reclaim their beaches from tourists. This movement follows a large demonstration last Saturday, marked by the hashtag #OcupemLesNostresPlatges (‘Occupy our beaches’).

Mallorca Platja Tour has called for locals to fill Cala Galiota beach in Colònia de Sant Jordi on Saturday June 1, and to join another larger mobilisation on Sunday June 16. They are urging residents to enjoy the beaches as they used to, bringing traditional snacks and spending the day there in an effort to ensure that foreign tourists cannot.

The initiative has gained substantial support online, with many residents expressing their frustration with tourist overcrowding. The movement was partly sparked by comments from Manuela Cañadas, a Vox spokesperson, who lamented that Mallorcans can no longer enjoy the beaches in peace during the peak tourist season. Her statements have fueled the residents’ determination to take action.

In a related effort to tackle tourist congestion, Palma City Council, led by the PP, proposed measures to limit the number of tourists entering the city. Mayor Jaime Martínez outlined a series of proposals, including restricting cruise ship arrivals, capping rental car numbers and setting quotas for group visits. While these initial steps by the local government have so far been voted down, they have promised to – and there is significant political will to – take measures to limit tourist overcrowding on the island.

Across the Balearic Islands as a whole, including Ibiza and Menorca, a new rule was recently introduced to restrict the activities of party boats and to increase fines for drinking in public.

In a tragic incident highlighting some of the risks associated with tourism and urban infrastructure, a restaurant terrace in Playa de Palma collapsed on Thursday May 27, resulting in four deaths and 14 injuries, including foreign tourists. An investigation revealed that the restaurant lacked the proper municipal licence for its terrace.

Read also: Mass brawl involving British tourists results in arrests in Mallorca

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