A Massive Demonstration
Hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets of Palma to raise their voices against the impact of excessive tourism on the island of Mallorca, highlighting the need for imminent change. According to organizers’ estimates, around 50,000 people participated in this mobilization, although the police reported a figure close to 20,000. The event, which took place on a busy Sunday, focused on expressing discontent with multiple problems facing the community, such as reduced wages, decreased quality of life, congestion on roads and in beach areas, as well as such as increased noise and lack of control in the home.
A Call to Action
The demonstration was promoted by the Menys turisme, més vida platform and received the support of 111 different organisations, ranging from environmental groups to trade unions and cultural associations. Among the most prominent voices, those of the Balear Ornithological Group and Mallorca Platja Tour made themselves heard under the slogan “Let’s change course, let’s put limits on tourism”. The event began at 7:00 p.m. and its route covered the main arteries of the city, those most visited by tourists, ending in the heart of Palma.
A Tourist Season Full of Tension
With a constant influx of tourists enjoying the beaches and sun of Mallorca, the organizers of the protest attempted to mark a “turning point” in the trajectory of tourism in the Balearic Islands. Pere Joan Femenia, spokesperson for Menys turisme, highlighted that the intention of the mobilization is to transform the current model. “Citizens are tired of an economic system that ignores the complications that tourism generates for residents,” he stated with determination.
Proposals for Action
Femenia shared concrete proposals to mitigate the effect of mass tourism, such as limiting the number of flights arriving at the islands’ airports (where almost 5,000 air operations were registered this weekend) and establishing restrictions on the number of cruise ships and transportation vehicles. rental available. She also stressed the need to regulate the acquisition of property by non-residents, stating that the projected influx of 20 million tourists this year is unsustainable for the local community.
Lawsuits in the Heart of Palma
The crowd joined in with suggestive banners and protest cries, using symbolic figures such as models of cruise ships and airplanes alongside a representation of the house “of the future” to illustrate what they consider to be the shortcomings of current tourism: job insecurity, overcrowding, social inequality, and the erosion of its culture, facing economic dependence and environmental problems. Resonant slogans such as “More tourism than ever, exploitation as always” or “Mallorca is not for sale” expressed the collective feeling as the protest took place in a peaceful atmosphere.
An International Response
International media, particularly from Germany and the United Kingdom, followed the protest closely. In response to the mobilization, debates emerged between various political parties in Germany, regarding how tourism affects the daily lives of residents in Mallorca. At the close of the event, a manifesto was read in which the demand for clear political actions that establish limits on tourism and promote a fair economic model was reiterated.
Call to Reflection
The manifesto also highlighted the serious situation in access to housing, the decrease in the purchasing power of workers, and questioned the legalization of irregular constructions in its territory. The leaders of the movement called for the importance of establishing limits that ensure sustainable development. They proposed that the future should be a model that rejects mass tourism and seeks to diversify the economy, always with a perspective of social justice.
A Future at Play
The Menys turisme, més vida group ended the mobilization with a renewed call to action, reinforcing the urgency of producing an effective change in tourism and economic policies, as well as in the management of resources in the Balearic Islands. The conclusion was clear: an equitable society that values and protects its environment is essential for a viable future. The united, active and committed community has the potential to achieve significant transformations for the common good.
