Mallorca To Introduce ‘Smart’ Beaches In 2025 To Combat Overtourism

The headlines have been full of the term “overtourism” for some time now, especially relating to the beautiful Balearic Island of Mallorca. Locals have had enough of too many tourists leading to them not having access to their own beaches. Various other European locations, including Barcelona, Amsterdam and Venice have suffered the same plight. However, it looks like Mallorca has come up with a “smart” response to overtourism tensions on the island.

Mallorca’s ‘smart’ response to anti-tourism tension

In order for locals to have a chance at a peaceful beach experience, Palma de Mallorca is planning to introduce “smart beaches” in 2025. The innovative concept will allow locals and tourists alike to reserve sun loungers in advance while enjoying free Wi-Fi and enhanced safety measures when on the sand.

According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, Palma’s city officials are aiming at better beach management and to reduce overcrowding on the sand with this digital solution. Meanwhile, by introducing an online booking system for sun beds and umbrellas, beachgoers can book their spot in advance, while eliminating the need for early morning rushes.

Innovative response to locals’ anti-tourism protests

Besides offering a fair way to reserve spaces on the beaches, Palma’s new smart beaches will also offer free Wi-Fi, letting visitors and locals stay connected while sunbathing. Moreover, another aspect of the new plans is to deploy drones for surveillance and rescue operations, thus increasing safety for beachgoers.

Meanwhile, the online platform will offer detailed information about each beach, including entertainment options, available services and accessibility options. Moreover, users will be able to view a map of their preferred beach, offering real-time availability of sun loungers, in a way similar to airline seat selections.

However, this will only be up and running in 2025, as the City Council is currently developing the technology, that will be incorporated into future beach concession contracts. Moreover, a detailed information campaign will be launched to inform locals and tourists about the new system.

First in Mallorca, later in the rest of Spain?

Should Palma’s smart beaches prove to be successful, this could become a model for other popular coastal destinations in Spain and elsewhere. If it works, it will be the kind of solution that Spain needs to develop in response to increasing tensions among locals countrywide.

It was reported in May that 15,000 residents were protesting in the streets of Palma against tourism as a whole. Not only were they against overcrowding on the beaches, but they claimed tourism has a hugely negative impact on housing costs, with locals priced out of the property market. Some residents said at the time that they couldn’t afford to live in what is their own hometown.

In another protest in June at Calo des Moro, up to 300 locals effectively blocked access to the popular beach to arriving tourists. Officers from the Civil Guard were on the scene but didn’t intervene in what was clearly a peaceful protest.

Hopefully, the new “smart” initiative will be successful in protecting Mallorca’s beaches from too many tourists.