With tourism on the brink in Spain amid reports of deserted clubs and tapas bars, the leader of local anti-tourism protests insists his fight to stop holidaymakers from visiting Mallorca is far from over.
Tens of thousands of angry locals marched through the shady squares usually reserved for alfresco diners, telling Brits to ‘go home’ and brandishing signs declaring ‘Everywhere you look, everyone is foreign’.
One activist was even seen swinging around an axe at in an attempt to threaten foreign families eating out, as others chanted ‘go to hell’.
Following the summer’s fiery protests, it was reported beach bars, parasol rentals and holiday activities saw a 20 per cent drop this July compared to the year before.
Arrivals from Germany and the UK, two of the island’s primary markets, declined by 8.6% and 2.2% in the same period after protesters started putting up fake beach warnings to scare off holidaymakers in 2023.
Ex-pats are being accused of refusing to integrate with Spanish culture, for Airbnbs driving up house prices and even disrespecting a hosepipe ban as locals suffer under a drought.
Juanmi Ferrer, of the Restaurants Association in Mallorca (CAEB), warned that restaurants across the island may be forced to shut down thanks to the highly-visible resentment of visitors.
But activists insist record numbers of tourists are still flocking to the island to grab a deckchair on their overcrowded beaches or form long queues on the climb to its stunning Medieval castles.
Jaume Pujol, 17, labelled the ‘Greta Thunberg’ of the over-tourism movement, has been pictured at the front of the ‘Go Home’ protests.
He told Metro that rocketing prices are giving tourists a taste of what locals have to suffer. He said: ‘This summer has not been any quieter.
‘Despite hotel owners and businesspeople trying to deny it, the situation of overcrowding and overtourism on our island has been the same.
‘We didn’t have a specific target group of British tourists. The aim of the protests is to put a limit on the over-tourism and commercialisation of our island and to reduce the number of tourists.
‘These demands are directed at our local governments which have, so far, ignored them.
‘The direct message to holidaymakers is be aware of the local problems caused by tourism.’
He also denied that it was British attitudes towards locals that sparked the protests.
‘There are behaviours that can be annoying but our island receives many tourists of all different types, so we can’t generalise,’ he explains.
‘What bothers us is the mass tourism phenomenon, a consequence of over-tourism and the over-reliance on tourism as the main economic activity.’
On restaurants potentially closing their shutters for good, he said: ‘This is their problem, due to the high prices they charge.
‘This increase in the cost of living in the Balearic Islands, which is a direct consequence of mass tourism, affects residents every day. And apparently, it now also affects tourists.’
Pedro Milán, owner of the trendy Sodapop cafe in Palma, said the island had relied on tourism for more than eighty years.
He told Metro: ‘Without tourism, the source of income and well-being for the residents would be destroyed, since we have no industry or other resources. This would be a disaster for the overwhelming majority.’
But he warns of the tensions rising between tourists and Mallorquins in recent years.
‘Many residents are of British or German origin and if they integrate and learn the basics of our language and culture, that is wonderful,’ Pedro says.
‘Then there are those who, after more than ten years, haven’t learned even the basics of my language or customs and only socialise with their own nationality.
‘Many locals find this disrespectful, as they never become residents but rather long-term foreign visitors.’
He hit back at protesters’ claims that prices have been hiked for tourists, preventing locals from accessing the plethora of bars and clubs.
Pedro says: ‘It’s due to rising taxes, rent, and wages. All of these costs must be reflected in the final price. The biggest factor is Airbnb driving up housing costs.’
He added: ‘The number of visitors from some countries, such as England or Germany, may have decreased slightly, but the overcrowding is still here.
‘We are currently under a drought alert, and some areas have already imposed water restrictions. Residents are demanding that the restrictions apply to everyone equally – not just to local residents.’
Eva Martin Soler, has been owner of L’Ambigu, a high-end tapas bar nestled in the historic centre of Palma for 16 years.
She told Metro: ‘I have witnessed a clear shift in the island’s tourism model.
‘Traditionally, German visitors formed the backbone of our summer trade. This year, however, we saw a sharp decline.
‘Many Germans chose to travel northward or within their own country, often by car, or to Nordic destinations.
‘Others opted for Tunisia and similar countries offering good-quality beaches and hotels. But British and French guests have increased, as have Swedish, Italian and American visitors thanks to new direct flight connections.
She added: ‘We must also recognise that responsibility is shared. Residents and large hotel groups have profited from expansion, while platforms such as Airbnb have drawn large numbers of lower-end visitors.
In a message to tourists, she added: ‘You should definitely visit Palma. Mallorca is an exceptional island, and Palma’s old town is one of the largest and richest in Europe, full of hidden corners and history.
‘Beyond the headlines about mass or party tourism, there are many Palmas to suit your needs. It all depends on how you look at the city.’
