Residents have been taking to the streets in recent weeks to protest against the impact of mass tourism
UK holidaymakers have been urged to rethink their travel plans to Spain, Majorca, and Tenerife as protests against tourism continue to sweep the Balearic Islands.
The region is experiencing a surge in anti-tourist sentiment, with British tourists being warned of the growing unhappiness.
Another demonstration was scheduled for yesterday (Sunday, June 15), aiming to draw attention to the negative impact of mass tourism on local communities.
In reaction to the protests, one Brit took to Facebook to comment: “Notably the Spanish aren’t slow in taking holiday makers money though.”
Another suggested: “All UK travel agents should cancel holidays to Spain, Majorca and Tenerife due to non friendly actions against their clients and possible court cases.”
Further protests are expected across popular destinations including Ibiza, Menorca, San Sebastián, Granada, Tenerife, and Málaga, with activists arguing that excessive tourism is driving up living costs for residents and causing environmental damage, reports Birmingham Live.
Data from Fotocasa revealed that average monthly rents in the Balearic Islands have soared from €562 to €1,451 over ten years, with even steeper increases in sought-after areas like Palma.
In March, Majorcan anti-tourism campaigners issued an open letter urging tourists to stay away, labelling them as “the source of our problem”.
One Brit compared the situation to domestic protests, posting: “Protests are driven by eco warriors. I presume British people would not want foreign tourists to believe Just Stop Oil protestors?”.
Another holidaymaker suggested: “Go to Turkey it’s very hot in August… cheap to eat and drink and very good value we have been several times and have never had a bad time the locals are friendly to you.
“We went out for a meal one evening and after we had finished we had a coffee and asked for a Brandy with it and they didn’t have Brandy and they sent out somebody and he came back with a Bottle of Brandy and gave us a glass each on the house. Give it a go you wont be dissapointed.”
Earlier this year, the government of the Balearic Islands, which includes Majorca, introduced a range of “tourism containment measures”, featuring a higher tax on visitors and an additional fee on car rentals.