Majorca residents protest against mass tourism influx in Palma
A protest took place on the streets of Palma, the largest city of Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands. Several tens of thousands of island residents expressed dissatisfaction with the mass influx of tourists.
Several thousand Majorca residents protested on Sunday in Palma, the main city of this island, against the mass influx of tourists.
The demonstration united residents from various groups
The demonstration gathered diverse social groups, including representatives of social organisations, civic movements, urban and environmental activists, and numerous families. In conversations with the media, demonstrators expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction. They claimed that the mass influx of tourists causes traffic chaos in Majorca and leads to the degradation of the island's natural environment and a drastic increase in living costs.
During the protest, participants chanted various slogans against tourists. You could hear cries such as: "Go back home!", "Don't destroy our island!", "It's time to stop", "Who loves Majorca, doesn't destroy it", and "Give us back Majorca!". Some demonstrators brought banners with inscriptions such as: "We are not fighting tourists but the destruction of Majorca", "Put an end to tourism!" and "We want a decent life!".
Protesters made various demands. They wanted to limit the number of accommodation places for tourists and designate special zones on the island where vacationers are not allowed. Additionally, they were demanding limits on the number of cars that can enter Majorca if they are not registered on the island.
Sunday's protest is another Palma event organized in response to mass tourism. Similar demonstrations have recently occurred in other Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Alicante, Seville, and Malaga.