Overtourism Leads To 15,000 Locals Protesting In Palma De Mallorca

The term “overtourism” keeps coming up in the headlines relating to popular tourist destinations such as the island of Mallorca. Not only does it lead to too many people, but it also has a hugely negative impact on housing costs, with locals priced out of the property market. As the summer season begins in Mallorca’s capital city, Palma, protesters were out in the streets on Saturday, May 25, bearing banners reading, “Mallorca is not for sale!”

Meanwhile, locals were also in mourning from the tragic building collapse that occurred in Playa de Palma recently. This has brought residents in the Balearic Island to a pivotal point, saying, “Enough is enough.”

Protests and mourning in Palma de Mallorca

Many locals in Mallorca claim that tourism is responsible for overcrowding in the city, as well as rising housing costs. Meanwhile, the recent tragic building collapse in Playa de Palma led to tourists and locals losing their lives or seriously injured. It has finally come to the point where local residents have had enough of the way tourism impacts their lives.

Euro Weekly News spoke to Jennifer Nicholson, an artist living in Palma, who wants Mallorca to become a place where everyone can thrive, saying:

The mass influx of tourists is affecting all of us from late spring to early autumn with traffic congestion and higher prices being the most common complaints. Tourism is really a double-edged sword. There are so many small businesses which rely on tourism to survive. I personally feel like a balance can be struck between tourism and environment although, Spain has been marketed as a cheap holiday/party destination.

Nicholson said it will take a huge initiative on the part of the government, local communities and tour companies to reimagine and market a “new” Spain to travelers. She noted that many places in the world are introducing better environmental practices in an effort to care for the world. She said:

With all the natural wonders and fascinating cultural features this country has to offer I think it’s highly likely that we can strike a balance between tourism and environment and still maintain a strong economy.  Everyone can thrive.

Mallorca is not saying ‘no to tourism’

Meanwhile, the Mallorca Daily Bulletin writes that the tourism protest “is just the beginning,” adding, “We are not saying no to tourism. Meanwhile, organizers of the demonstration in Palma on Saturday warned that they will continue to protest until local authorities take action to address the housing emergency and overcrowding by tourists.

“This has only just begun,” said Javier Barbero, one of the protest organizers.

Barbero is confident that the protest has pushed authorities to take “immediate measures” to halt the property collapse, caused by locals being priced out of buying or renting properties. If action isn’t taken, he said they will continue to take to the streets until it is.

“We wanted to denounce the housing situation, but we also believe that we have to rethink the tourism model with respect,” he said. “We are not saying ‘no’ to tourism,” Barbero added.

According to data from Exceltur, tourism generates 45 percent of Mallorca’s gross domestic product so clearly locals don’t want to ban tourism as a whole. However, Carme Reines, who was one of the organizers of the protest in Palma de Mallorca aired some ideas.

Firstly, protesters want the local authorities to stop people who have not lived there for more than five years from buying properties. Moreover, they want more control over tourist accommodations.

Other popular destinations fighting overtourism include Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, travelers could do their bit towards reducing the problems and visit at a different time of year. Mallorca has an average temperature all year round of 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit).

While summers are generally hot and dry, winter weather ranges from mild to cold and wet. Meanwhile, even though it could rain, between October and March travelers can expect an average of six hours of sunlight daily. Why not visit during the spring or the fall next time?