Mass tourism in Mallorca: renewed protests against housing shortages

Mass tourism is exacerbating the housing shortage in Mallorca. In Palma, around 1,000 people protested again against the economic and social consequences of the ongoing boom in visitors.

Locals in Mallorca have once again protested against mass tourism on the holiday island. According to the police, around 1,000 demonstrators formed a chain of seats with chairs that stretched from the Plaza de España to the government headquarters by the sea. Just at the end of July, around 25,000 people demonstrated against tourism on the largest of the Balearic Islands.

This time, some participants held self-painted banners in their hands with inscriptions in English such as “Your paradise, our hell”, “Waiting line for a rent in Palma” or “Tourist go home”. Since the number of participants was not sufficient for a closed chain, the organizer divided the route into several sections.

The environmental associations GOB and Terraferida were responsible for the protest. The initiative “Menys Turisme, més vida” (Less tourism, more life), which usually mobilizes tens of thousands of people for the demonstrations, was missing this time.

The rallies that have been going on for years are not directed against holidaymakers themselves, but rather the consequences of mass tourism. Housing on Mallorca has become increasingly expensive in recent years. Illegal holiday rentals are also partly to blame for this.