Thousands of anti-tourism protesters filled the streets of the Majorcan town of Soller over the weekend, voicing concerns about the impact of mass tourism on local life and an unsustainable economic model. Approximately 2,000 demonstrators gathered on Saturday in the town, located in the Serra de Tramontana mountains.
Protesters displayed banners highlighting issues such as the unaffordability of second homes for locals and the pressure on public services. One sign read in English, "No more second homes while locals can't afford one." Another, a mix of English and Catalan, asked, "Welcome to Majorca. And where do we live?"
One banner, referencing England's recent World Cup semi-final loss, featured an image of the trophy and stated, "The Only Thing Coming Home Is You," perceived as an anti-English sentiment. This demonstration follows a larger anti-tourism protest last month, which reportedly drew an estimated 20,000 participants.
The march, organized under the banner "Soller al limit," aimed to denounce problems attributed to overtourism, including public transport and parking challenges, and inflated property prices. Activists stated that high demand from holiday rentals and real estate speculation contribute to the housing affordability crisis for residents.
The protest caused disruptions to the town's weekly market. Businesses in the town center were required to remove outdoor terraces and stalls for the market, which typically runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. These measures were implemented to ensure public safety along the protest route, as instructed by central government representatives.
Organizers emphasized that the protest was not directed against tourists themselves but against what they described as an "unsustainable economic model." In the days leading up to the demonstration, graffiti appeared on the front of a local estate agent's office.