The Spanish fightback against record tourism

This summer, Majorca is experiencing an overwhelming influx of tourists, creating a vibrant yet challenging atmosphere. The beautiful beaches are packed with visitors enjoying the sun, while the waves of the Balearic Sea wash away the sandcastles built by children. However, this surge in tourism has led to significant issues for the local population. Finding a spot on the beach is a struggle, and parking is nearly impossible. If you leave your sunbed unattended for even a moment, you risk losing your belongings to others eager to claim your space. The sounds of contactless payment machines echo throughout the bustling hotels, restaurants, and bars, highlighting the economic boom brought on by record numbers of visitors. Yet, not everyone is benefiting from this tourism boom. Sonia Ruiz, a 31-year-old mother, is facing a difficult situation. She lives in Palma, the capital of Majorca, and has a four-year-old son named Luca who plays happily in the park. Despite the cheerful surroundings, Sonia is deeply concerned about her living situation. Her landlord has asked her to vacate their apartment, and she finds it nearly impossible to secure a new place to live. 'Every day I’m looking and every day the rent is higher,' she laments. Sonia has even resorted to stopping people on the street to inquire about available housing, fearing that she and her son may soon be homeless due to the lack of affordable options. She and her partner, who are separated, have been forced to live together because they cannot afford rent individually, despite their combined income of 2,400 euros a month. 'They ask for deposits of several months. Some landlords even tell me they don’t want children or pets. And so many people are looking for homes,' she explains. Sonia is not alone in her struggles. Many residents of Majorca are expressing their frustration over the rising number of tourists. This weekend, Sonia plans to join a protest against the overwhelming influx of visitors, which many believe is driving up living costs for locals. Activists argue that the surge in tourism is leading to a significant increase in housing prices, as many properties are being purchased or rented by foreigners. Pere Joan Femenia, a 25-year-old activist, is part of a movement called 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida,' which translates to 'Less Tourism, More Life. ' He explains that the unprecedented number of tourists is not only making it difficult for locals to find affordable housing but is also straining public spaces and resources. Pere began his activism five years ago as part of Greta Thunberg’s climate movement, but his focus has shifted to the cost of living for his fellow islanders. 'Businesses are changing from selling traditional products to multinational companies selling ice cream, and we are losing our identity. We want to preserve our culture,' he states. Pere points to the port, where numerous cruise ships arrive daily, bringing thousands of visitors to the island. He believes it is a misconception that Majorca needs an ever-increasing number of tourists to survive. In fact, many locals are contemplating leaving the island because they can no longer afford to live there. He advocates for limiting the number of flights and cruise ships to alleviate the pressure on the island, a demand that will be echoed in the slogans and banners during the upcoming protests in Palma. According to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, last year, 14. 4 million foreign tourists visited the Balearic Islands, with Majorca being the most popular destination, followed by Menorca and Ibiza. The number of international visitors increased by 9. 1% compared to 2022, while their spending rose by 16. 4%. When considering Spanish visitors, activists estimate that this year could see as many as 20 million tourists in the Balearics. As Spain’s tourist hotspots have evolved over the years, the debate over whether the influx of visitors brings more problems than benefits has intensified. This year, the anger among locals seems to have reached a new level, as demonstrated by recent incidents in Barcelona where tourists were sprayed with water guns. Protests have also occurred in other areas, including Malaga and the Canary Islands. Spain’s popular tourist destinations are now grappling with how to manage the overwhelming number of visitors. Some British newspapers have even compiled lists of 'hostile holiday hotspots' to avoid in the summer of 2024. On a crowded beach in Magaluf, a family from Rotherham is enjoying their vacation. Adam, the father, is on his first trip abroad with his wife and their seven children. 'It’s hectic, but we’re getting there. Apart from the heat, it’s great,' he shares. When asked about the protests, Charlotte, his wife, admits, 'I saw a little bit on the news, but I tried not to watch it because I didn’t want it to stress me out and put me off coming since we’d already booked and paid for it. ' Adam adds, 'Don’t the tourists boost the economy and create jobs for the locals? People travel around the world, and this is one of the destinations. Without tourists, there would be no jobs, no wages, nothing. They rely on tourism, don’t they?