Mallorca: Beaches on the island closed to tourists – residents protest against mass tourism

Christian Klumpp

In the Balearic Islands, many residents of holiday regions have had enough and are demanding a limit on mass tourism. In recent weeks, there have been large demonstrations in the island's capital, Palma. But there have also been protests in other Spanish regions, such as Barcelona, ​​Malaga and the Canary Islands. A group of activists blocked various beach accesses to several popular bays on Germany's favorite holiday island.

With 17.8 million tourists, the Balearic Islands recorded a record in 2023. This number corresponds to 15 times more people than the island has inhabitants. Rising rents and living costs make it difficult for many Mallorcans to afford their own island.

CURSE AND BLESSING AT THE SAME TIME

Activists block Mallorca beaches

The discontent and resistance of the locals is increasing noticeably. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of people have followed the call of local organizations and clubs and protested in Palma several times.

A group of activists set a creative sign of protest. As Mallorcan media reports, there were yellow warning signs at the beach entrances with the message: "Beach closed." Also the note: "Closed for residents' recreation." The entrances were cordoned off with tape.

The anti-capitalist group Caterva was behind this action. They closed numerous bays and beaches in the east of Manacor (the second largest city on Mallorca), including Cala Varques, Cala Magraner, Cala Bota, Cala Petita, Cala Murta and Cala Morlanda.

The initiative published photos of the action on X (formerly Twitter) and stated: "We believe that tourists are part of the problem and are responsible for the situation."

However, their protests are not only aimed at tourists. “The main responsibility lies with the hotel chains, construction companies and real estate companies. They must be held accountable,” the activists are quoted as saying in the “Mallorca Zeitung”.

Beach section at “Ballermann” was also occupied

The “Mallorca Platja Tour” initiative symbolically occupied a beach at the well-known party hotspot Ballermann in mid-August, according to the “Mallorca Zeitung”. With the motto “Let’s occupy our beaches”, they expressed their concerns with flags, bagpipes and folk dances.

More tourists than ever before in 2023

In 2023, according to the Balearic Statistics Office (INE and Ibestat), almost 18 million tourists visited the Balearic Islands. That is 8% more tourists than in 2022. Tourism revenues were estimated at 19.98 billion euros. Here, too, per capita spending was 15% higher than the previous year.

In terms of numbers, the top visitors last year - as has been almost traditional for almost 20 years - were the Germans. A total of 4.6 million German citizens were counted (6.76 percent more than in 2022). The British followed in second place with 3.7 million visitors (plus 10.7 percent), followed in third place by domestic holidaymakers from Spain with 3.4 million (3.8 percent).

But what would happen if tourists stayed away, purchasing power decreased, hotels had to close one after the other, and unemployment and crime increased?

CONCLUSION: A BLESSING AND A CURSE AT THE SAME TIME