By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
If you can find a spot on Majorca’s beaches this summer, you’ll witness two powerful forces, the timeless waves of the Balearic Sea, and a modern surge of tourism overwhelming everything in its path. Every beach is crowded, parking spaces are rare, and leaving your sunbed too long risks losing it to eager newcomers. The island is buzzing with economic activity, evident from the constant beeping of contactless payment machines in packed hotels, restaurants, and bars, all fueled by a record number of visitors.
Despite this economic boom, not everyone benefits. Sonia Ruiz, a 31 year old mother, struggles to find affordable housing in Palma, the island’s capital. Her landlord has asked her to leave, and she’s finding it impossible to secure a new place due to skyrocketing rents. Sonia and her partner, though separated, continue living together because they can’t afford to rent separately, even with a combined income of 2,400 euros a month. They face exorbitant deposit demands and landlords who often refuse tenants with children or pets.
Like thousands of Majorcans, Sonia is protesting against the surge in tourism, which is blamed for the declining living standards of locals. Activists argue that the high housing costs are driven by foreigners buying or renting homes for the summer. Pere Joan Femenia, a 25 year old activist from the "Menys Turisme, Més Vida" movement, states that the unprecedented number of tourists is pricing locals out of the housing market and straining public services and natural resources. Pere’s activism began with Greta Thunberg’s climate movement but has since shifted focus to the cost of living for islanders. He notes that the influx of tourists has led to a loss of traditional businesses, replaced by multinationals, eroding the island’s cultural identity.
Pere explains that some cruise ships bring up to 12,000 visitors daily, and he disputes the notion that Majorca needs expanding tourism for survival. He argues that many locals are considering leaving the island due to the high cost of living. Limiting flights and cruises, he believes, would alleviate some pressure. These demands will be a part of the slogans and banners in this weekend’s protest in Palma.
According to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, 14.4 million foreign tourists visited the Balearic Islands last year, with Majorca being the most popular destination. The number of international visitors increased by 9.1% from 2022, and their spending rose by 16.4%. Including Spanish visitors, activists estimate that the Balearics could see 20 million tourists this year. The ongoing debate over whether tourism brings more problems than benefits has intensified, with recent protests and hostility toward visitors reaching new levels.
On a crowded beach in Magaluf, a favorite among British holidaymakers, Adam Green and his family from Rotherham enjoy their first trip abroad despite the protests. Adam acknowledges the hectic nature of their trip with seven children, while Charlotte admits she avoided news about the protests to avoid stress. Adam believes that tourism is essential for the local economy, arguing that without tourists, there would be no jobs or income.
Comments