On Sunday, an estimated 20,000 protesters marched through the streets of Palma, Mallorca, in a powerful display against the relentless surge of tourism on the Spanish island. Under the rallying cry “Let’s change course and set limits on tourism,” the demonstration erupted into a sea of colorful flags and banners, a visible testament to the growing discontent among residents.
The protest, orchestrated by over 80 organizations and social groups, demanded a shift in the island’s tourism model, arguing that the current influx of visitors is pushing public services to their breaking point, harming natural resources, and making housing increasingly unaffordable for locals. One sign poignantly captured the sentiment: “Your luxury, our misery.” Another proclaimed: “This isn’t tourismophobia, it’s numbers: 1,232,014 residents, 18 million tourists.”
Organizers claimed a turnout of 50,000, while police estimated 20,000 participants. The central government’s delegation in the islands reported 12,000 attendees. The demonstration followed a similar mass protest across the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, in late May, where thousands demanded action to curb overtourism under the slogan: “Our islands are not for sale.”
The protests reflect a growing concern among residents about the impact of tourism on their quality of life. Expert voices echoed the need for a more regulated tourism model. Architect and urban planning expert Jose Maria Ezquiaga emphasized the importance of local control, advocating for the need to regulate tourist rental flats through the approval of local residents’ associations. “It should be local property owners who set the rules of the game and decide whether or not certain formats are acceptable,” he stated.
Manuel de la Calle, an expert in tourism and business, proposed a tourist tax as a potential solution. “It will not reduce the flow of tourism, but it will generate resources that can be driven into tourism management or other avenues to help the local population,” he explained. The protests in Mallorca underscore a growing global trend of communities pushing back against the negative consequences of unbridled tourism, demanding a more sustainable and equitable balance between tourism and the well-being of residents.
