Overtourism Sees Locals Protesting In Calo des Moro in Mallorca
‘Let’s Occupy Our Beaches’ protest in Calo des Moro, Mallorca
Starting shortly after 8 am on Tuesday, locals descended onto the beach armed with beach towels, swimwear and blankets, while carrying a large banner reading in Catalan “Ocupem Les Nostres Platges” (Let’s Occupy Our Beaches). The tiny cove was packed with people, claiming every inch of the available space.
https://twitter.com/RamonDaz19/status/1802441247866388758
Moreover, by 10 am their numbers swelled to more than 300, effectively blocking access to arriving tourists. Officers from the Guardia Civil were on the scene but didn’t intervene and seemingly accepted the peaceful nature of the protest.
The protest happened despite Mayor Maria Pons’ attempt to dissuade the organizers while stating the need for Calo des Moro to “rest” from the huge influx of tourists.
Second protest by Mallorca Platja Tour against overtourism
The latest protest is the second organized by Mallorca Platja Tour, after an action at Sa Rapita beach earlier this month. However, as Majorca Daily Bulletin reports, critics did point out that the Sa Rapita event had a lower turnout despite plans to “squeeze out” foreign tourists.
https://twitter.com/IB3noticies/status/1802279056567648618
While acknowledging the protestors’ concerns, Mayor Pons expressed a desire for balance, saying:
We understand the demonstration, but Calo des Moro needs a rest. We just want locals to be able to enjoy it in peace year-round.
Mayor Pons’ comments highlight the tricky balance between much-needed tourism and the wellbeing of the island. Mallorca needs the revenue from tourism, but locals can feel overwhelmed by the huge influx of tourists.
Mallorca Platja Tour is not ‘anti-tourist’
Meanwhile, despite the number of protesters, Mallorca Platja Tour insists that its members are not anti-tourist. Reportedly, they chose Calo des Moros as a symbol of overcrowding, as this is a beach that locals can no longer easily access themselves. For this reason, the activists have pledged to protect the beautiful cove to ensure that their protest leaves no lasting damage.
250 mallorquins s'aixequen prest en bon diumenge i se reuneixen a la platja. Cosa passa.
Es Caló des Moro, 16 de juny. Primera hora.
Revertir la situació actual és cosa de tots. Conscienciar, moure el cul i aixecar la veu tantes vegades com faci falta. pic.twitter.com/NOc6dP24Hn
— Àngel Aguiló Palou (@AngelAguiloP) June 16, 2024
However, on the other side of the coin, while most residents agree that something needs to be done to contain the large number of visitors to Mallorca, others do worry about the impact of targeting tourists.
Maria-Helen Marin, who owns a café in Palma, said:
There is a possibility that all we will be left with are the beaches.
Meanwhile, a better solution to the problem is for travelers to visit the island outside of the summer tourist season. Due to Mallorca’s pleasant climate, a visit to its beaches during spring or fall would be equally enjoyable for visitors and would have less impact on the island’s nature, its beaches and its residents.