The campaign against overtourism on the Spanish islands has spread, with protestors in Majorca taking to the streets last weekend and threatening to blockade Palma Son Sant Joan Airport during the peak summer months.
An estimated 10,000 locals marched through the streets of Palma at the weekend, holding banners saying: “Mallorca is not for sale.”
It follow protests in several Spanish regions last month, against mass tourism in the Canary Islands and organisers say the marches will continue until the Balearic Government introduces measures to curb the housing emergency on the island, which many see as being caused by tourism.
Campaign group Banc del Temps wants a curb on tourists buying properties on the island, regulations of holiday accommodation prices and measures to declare the Balearics are experiencing a housing emergency.
Its spokesperson, Javier Barbero, said: “This has only just begun,” the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
“If measures aren’t taken we will continue taking to the streets until we see action,” he said.
Other plans, discussed at a meeting 10 days ago, include ‘collapsing’ Palma airport by blockading it with cars, and holding mass protests outside hotels and beaches.
Balearic Tourism Minister Jaume Bauzá urged protesters to hold peaceful demonstrations, without bringing Palma airport to a standstill.
He said: “Collapsing Son Sant Joan has no place in society. Protests must be peaceful and without endangering people’s safety.”
See also:
TUI boss says operators aren’t to blame for Canary Islands protests
and: Should Brits still holiday in the Canary Islands?
