Anti-tourism organizations in Mallorca have sparked controversy with the release of a handbook that advises protesters on how to target businesses within the tourism sector. The guide, published by groups translating to 'Less Tourism, More Life' and Arran Mallorca, outlines methods for identifying potential targets and engaging in what it describes as "non-violent direct action" against what they term "a system that is suffocating us."
Potential targets identified in the "Manual for Action Against Touristification" include tourism signage, real estate agencies, and hotels. The handbook suggests actions such as blocking access to holiday rental properties. Protesters are advised to plan escape routes, survey areas before acting, and avoid security cameras. Recommendations also cover attire, urging participants to cover distinguishing features like tattoos and piercings and wear loose, dark-colored clothing. The guide further suggests assigning roles for protests, designating lookouts and individuals to carry out actions, and encourages documenting these actions with photographs for social media dissemination.
The manual has drawn criticism from major tourism industry bodies in the Balearic Islands, including the Majorca Hoteliers Federation, the College of Estate Agents, and the Confederation of Balearic Business Associations (CAEB). These organizations have condemned the handbook's guidance, with the hotel federation stating that while there are many ways to advocate for an idea, not all are valid, and that the suggestions could escalate from disagreement to "vandalism and sabotage." The College of Estate Agents president commented that the guide does not foster public debate but instead fuels a confrontational climate, while the CAEB described the recommended actions as intimidating and unjustified.
This development comes ahead of planned anti-overtourism demonstrations across the Balearic Islands on July 26. The manual's publication follows a recent protest on October 2024, where approximately 10,000 people gathered at the S'Arenal de sa Ràpita beach to call for increased protection of the coast and natural attractions. Protesters expressed concerns that potential relaxations in planning rules could lead to new construction of hotels, apartments, parking facilities, power lines, and sand extraction. During this demonstration, a large human chain was formed, with participating organizations including GOB, Terraferida, and the Menys Turisme Menys Vida platform. They urged for concrete and urgent measures for the common good and greater protection of natural areas.
Earlier in July, a separate demonstration involved protesters entering the sea at a popular beauty spot to protest against mass tourism and what they described as "destructive" government policies. The Balearic government's president, Marga Prohens, has characterized warnings about inadequate protection as "hoaxes," and the Minister of Agriculture, Joan Simonet, has released a video guaranteeing the protection of the area.
Protests against the current tourism model have occurred in recent years. In May, demonstrations took place across the archipelago, including in Tenerife, where hundreds of protesters marched, some taking over a beach in Playa de las Americas. Reports from that time indicated that tourists stayed inside their accommodations due to the protests, with some expressing fear of the disturbances. During these past events, protesters have used noisemakers like large shells and drums, and chanted slogans questioning the distribution of tourism revenue.