Thousands Protest in Mallorca Against Mass Tourism
Thousands of anti-tourism activists protested in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Sunday, voicing concerns about mass tourism's impact on housing costs and public services. Organizers called for reduced tourism and restrictions on non-residents buying homes. The Balearic Islands attracted 14.4 million tourists last year, with tourism contributing 45% to its GDP.
On Sunday, thousands of anti-tourism activists protested in Palma de Mallorca against mass tourism, a critical industry for Spain.
Protesters, carrying makeshift planes and cruise ships, and holding signs like 'no to mass tourism' and 'stop private jets', voiced concerns over the rising housing costs and the strain on public services caused by tourists.
About 10,000 demonstrators joined the march, some of whom received support from tourists.
Pere Joan Femenia of Menys Turisme, Mas Vida, the protest organizer, stated the need to reduce tourism and prohibit non-residents from buying homes used temporarily or for speculation.
The Balearic Islands are Spain's second most popular region for tourists, after Catalonia, attracting 14.4 million visitors last year.
Tourism contributes 45% of the Balearic Islands' GDP. In the first quarter of this year, 16.1 million people visited Spain, an 18% increase from the previous year.
Visitors spent approximately one hundred and nine billion euros, making it a significant economic sector compared to France.