Brits appear undeterred by a wave of protests in Majorca, with their visitors numbers increasing in May, official figures suggest. According to the latest figures from the National Statistics Institute’s Frontur survey of tourist movements, tourism to the Balearic Islands overall saw a 1.6%-decrease compared to May 2024.
Majorca itself, the largest of the Balearic Islands, was down by 1%, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports. German tourist numbers, which still far outstrip visitors from other nations, had been rising by around 10% on average in recent months but dropped by 2% for the Balearics and 2.3% for Majorca in May, as per the outlet.
However, The UK, which was reported to have had several monthly drops since May 2024, saw a 6% uptick in visitors to the islands (up to 509,000) and a 9% jump to 310,000 in Majorca specifically.
It went against the decreases seen in both the German market and among visitors from elsewhere in Spain, which saw a 10.7% fall for the Balearics to 276,000 visitors and an almost 4% fall for Majorca, according to the Spanish English-Language newspaper.
It comes amid a series of protests on the streets of Majorca and elsewhere in Europe over the impact of tourism on the cost of living.
Demonstrators are particularly motivated by the cost of accomodation, which they say has skyrocketed partly due to holiday lets, and second homes owned by foreigners.
Last month, tourists on the island were allegedly surrounded and jeered by protestors as mass tourism demonstrations swept across popular holiday destinations in Europe.
Thousands rallied in the capital Palma de Majorca on Sunday, with hundreds also gathering in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese cities.
Authorities in Majorca have launched a wide range of measures in response to the public anger, including raising the tourist tax and imposing new levies on hire cars.
Other affected cities have also taken action. For example, Barcelona also announced plans last year to phase out the 10,000 apartments licensed for short-term rentals by 2028, to provide more housing for permanent residents.
The Spanish government has also vowed to tackle the housing crisis in the country, and has proposed curbs like a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU residents.