A wave of protest against the negative impact of mass tourism is sweeping over Spain’s most popular holiday hotspots. Euronews reporter Valérie Gauriat travelled to Majorca, the biggest of the Balearic Islands, to hear from residents who feel their future is under threat.
Residents in Majorca are voicing their concerns about the devastating effects of mass tourism on their island. With up to one million people visiting in a single day, the locals feel overwhelmed by the influx of tourists. They believe that tourism is erasing their identity, pushing them out of their own land, and causing a decline in their quality of life.
As the largest of the Balearic Islands, Majorca expects to host around 20 million visitors this year, generating nearly half of the region’s GDP. However, the economic benefits of tourism are not evenly distributed among the residents. Many locals struggle with prohibitive housing prices, forcing them to live in camping-cars or leave the island altogether. Traditional commerce is also suffering, with franchises dominating the main streets and causing the loss of the city’s identity.
The surge in real estate prices has led to a shortage of housing, prompting public service employees to flee the island. Most jobs in Majorca are seasonal, making it difficult for residents to afford living expenses. The island’s new right-wing majority and international speculation are blamed for exacerbating the situation. Measures to curb mass tourism, such as limiting tourist rentals and initiatives to protect local resources, have been met with opposition and new challenges.
Majorca’s main environmental defense organization, GOB, is calling for radical reform and diversification of the island’s economic model to address the urgent issues caused by climate change and unsustainable tourism practices. Despite growing opposition from the local population, plans to expand Palma airport and increase tourist places on rural land continue to accelerate the path towards collapse. As the number of tourists in Spain is expected to reach an all-time high in 2024, urgent action is needed to protect the future of Majorca and its residents.
