UK tourists have been advised to avoid Majorca as the island prepares for a significant protest this weekend, marking the beginning of a series of demonstrations throughout the Balearic Islands. The protest is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, and aims to address the ongoing housing crisis affecting local residents. The Majorca Daily Bulletin has reported that people in various cities across the region will take to the streets to demand immediate action from authorities.
The protest, which has been dubbed “Let’s end the housing business” (translated from Spanish: "Acabemos con el negocio de la vivienda"), reflects growing discontent among locals regarding the impact of tourism on their community. Commenting on the situation, one local expressed, "I’m not fearful at all. Nobody wants to completely eradicate tourism. The current levels are unsustainable, however. And you know this."
The urgency of the protest is underscored by a letter signed by seven local protest groups, which explicitly requests tourists to refrain from visiting the island. In this letter, the groups outline their grievances, stating that "the greed and avarice of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and ‘parasites’ of all kinds” have significantly harmed the island's ecology and infrastructure. They claim that the repercussions of uncontrolled tourism have led to overcrowded public services, gentrification, and a general decline in the quality of life for residents.
The letter further articulated the residents' frustrations: “Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry, and we are no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed, and many residents are having to emigrate." It concludes with a plea to potential visitors: “We don’t need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. At this moment, we have no choice but to ask for your understanding and for you to understand that we, the people of Mallorca, are saying: ENOUGH! STAY HOME!”
Local sentiment appears divided. While some residents welcome the protest, others express concern about its potential effects on the island's tourism-dependent economy. One resident pointedly remarked on social media about the negative implications of ongoing protests for their jobs and businesses, suggesting that tourists may choose to frequent other locations instead of a “protesting island.”
As the protest approaches, it is anticipated to draw attention to the housing crisis and its correlation with tourist influx, as local leaders express growing concerns about the sustainability of tourism on the island. The events set to unfold this weekend are indicative of the broader tensions surrounding tourism and its socio-economic repercussions in Majorca.
Source: Noah Wire Services