Angry locals concern ‘summer season of discontent’ warning to Brits as anti-tourism fury grows
Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) is organising an anti-tourism demonstration this weekend as the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza face a summer of discontent
A Majorca anti-tourism protest group is set to give Brit holidaymakers a headache, as they’ve planned a ‘summer of discontent’. Angry protestors claim that in the Balearic hotspots of Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, greedy authorities are prioritising cash over community as tourist numbers hit the roof.
The action squad, Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) is gearing up for a massive demo this weekend. They fired off a warning shot, saying: “After seeing the government’s new tourist campaign, the announcements of billion-dollar investments, and the boom in property speculation and luxury tourism, it’s clear that policies only favour land liberalisation and business interests.”
The organisation has called for the meeting to be held this Saturday at the Escola Rural des Puig d’Alanar, in Manacor, where there will be different events held with talks, a workshop and a round table, reports Birmingham Live.
Legislation is being developed to combat overcrowding. Reacting to this, a local resident vented: “No doubt the bars and restaurants along the proposed route will be handing out free food and drinks to all those taking part who wish to deprive them of their livelihood.”
“Less tourism, more life, as long as your family doesn’t rely on tourists then not much life if no money!”
Menys Turisme, Més Vida (less tourism, more life) has called a meeting to regroup and redouble efforts in light of the growth forecasts for the new season.
This comes as an estimated two million tourists are believed to have gone “missing” in Spain’s Balearic Islands last year, amid speculation that some may have used unlawful lodgings.
Authorities in the popular island group, which includes Majorca and Ibiza, face mounting pressure to clamp down on dubious holiday rentals, accused of contributing to over-tourism. An anonymous source informed Majorca Daily Bulletin that local government is missing out on income from tourist taxes due to the use of illegal rentals.
Government statistics quoted by the same outlet suggest thousands of tourists are choosing to stay in private residences or unregulated accommodation rather than registered hotels or holiday lets where tourist taxes can be applied. Some of the estimated two million could also have been staying with friends or relatives or in their own second homes, but Majorca Daily Bulletin reports hoteliers suspect some tourists rented illegal flats and villas.
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