A storm is brewing in Majorca as locals lash out at what they describe as the island turning into “English-speaking dumps,” blaming overtourism and the wrong type of visitor for pushing the region to breaking point.
The backlash comes as the Balearic tourism minister, Jaume Bauzá, attempts to calm fears about the island’s future as one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Speaking on Thursday, Bauzá insisted that the so-called “tourismphobic” messages plastered across protests and social media were having little impact on travel markets, telling reporters: “The data confirm that the tourism season is good. We can’t break records every year.”
He acknowledged that the summer revenue picture was “uneven,” with some resorts falling short of expectations, but emphasised that the government is aiming for “quality tourism,” defined by him as visitors with higher spending power rather than simply more tourists through the gates.
This comes after more than a year of growing unrest over mass tourism. In May and June 2024, protesters in Palma and other towns staged marches and beach “takeovers” to draw attention to the strain on public spaces. By July, as many as 20,000 people took to the streets of Palma carrying banners reading “Mallorca is not for sale” and “Take back your drunks, give back our homes.”
In March this year, the historic town of Sóller introduced bans on tourist cars following a wave of local complaints, while in June activists used water pistols on visitors in Palma to symbolically “cool down” overtourism. Graffiti, fake “Beach Closed” signs, and slogans targeting British and German visitors have also become common sights in recent months.
Yet that has done little to calm the mood among islanders, many of whom feel their concerns about spiralling rents, overcrowding and the changing face of their communities are being brushed aside.
One frustrated local hit out at the current tourist demographic, writing: “Sadly those with IQ in double digits are those who will probably be aware of, listening to, and responding to the anti-tourism messages. Precisely the type of tourist the island needs, but are being pushed away. All the drunken morons wanting a cheap week away in English-speaking dumps will be along just fine.”
Another added: “Although government here is utterly incapable and clueless, the man has a point in saying you cannot expect to beat records every year. And the world economy does explain at least part of what we are seeing. If I was a regular family from Germany or Holland I too would seriously consider Greece over Mallorca as of recent. Just as pretty, much cheaper, food arguably better and service a LOT nicer and friendlier.”
This summer has seen a wave of protests against what residents describe as “overtourism,” including more graffiti, rallies and the burning of effigies aimed at drawing attention to their plight. Bauzá himself admitted that while anti-tourism sentiment “was not catching on” in terms of deterring visitors, the imagery of such demonstrations was “not desirable.”
It follows weeks of headlines warning British families to “think twice” before booking breaks in the Balearics, with regular holidaymakers voicing concerns over soaring costs and simmering tensions on the island.