Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the natural beach of S'Arenal de sa Ràpita in Mallorca to protest against the Balearic government's tourism policies, fearing that relaxed planning rules could lead to overdevelopment and environmental degradation. Protesters formed a human chain and waded into the sea at the popular Es Trenc natural park and beach, calling for greater protection of the island's coast and natural attractions.
Organizers, including the ecology group GOB, Terraferida, and the 'Menys Turisme Menys Vida' platform ('Less tourism, more life'), expressed concerns that proposed changes could allow for new hotels, apartments, parking lots, power lines, and sand extraction. They voiced skepticism over government assurances that Es Trenc would remain untouched, stating that the new legal framework seemed designed to facilitate increased construction and tourist amenities.
Protestors chanted slogans such as 'Who wants Mallorca does not destroy it,' and 'We are not asking for utopias but for concrete and urgent measures for the common good.' Tonina Siquier, vice-president of the GOB, described the demonstration as a significant success that exceeded expectations, lamenting the need for such protests, which she noted were more common in previous decades.
The Balearic government, led by President Marga Prohens, has dismissed the warnings as 'hoaxes,' with the Minister of Agriculture, Joan Simonet, releasing a video from the area to guarantee its protection. However, protest groups maintain that the government's proposed framework is intended to pave the way for extensive development, potentially transforming the area into another Magaluf, a resort town known for its high tourist density.
This protest is part of a broader wave of anti-tourism sentiment in Spain. In July 2024, a demonstration in Palma organized by 'Menys Turisme Menys Vida' drew approximately 50,000 participants demanding limits on tourism. Protesters have employed various methods to draw attention to their cause, including barricades and symbolic displays.
Previous protests have occurred throughout the region. In June, activists staged a demonstration outside a cathedral in Palma. Another protest is scheduled for July 26. A spokesperson, David Comas, stated that the island has become a 'theme park,' making it difficult for young people to achieve independence and secure housing. Protests against overtourism have also been observed in the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Malaga, with some incidents involving confrontations with tourists.
Past actions have included setting off smoke and using water pistols against tourists in June of the previous year, and in May 2024, holidaymakers in Palma experienced booing and jeering during a protest. In April of the previous year, locals used water pistols at a tour bus near Barcelona's Sagrada Familia.