Several groups are “deeply concerned” about over-tourism in Majorca and have come together to write an open letter begging tourists to stay away from the Spanish island. The plea comes as its residents brace themselves for the “worst summer in the history” of Majorca.
Shared by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the groups shared concern over recent statements made by local politicians and hoteliers, which they described as having “great irresponsibility”, denying the “evident reality” and promoting the arrival of even more national and international tourists. The open letter aims to showcase the “true situation of our island” and to appeal for individual responsibility of visitors amid “non-existent” responsibility from Balearic local authorities and tourist lobbies, which they argue are “solely driven by economic interests”.
“Dear tourists,” the open letter begins, before stating that while tourism was once Majorca’s source of pride, it has become “our biggest problem”.
The groups argued that Majorca has been “exploited to unimaginable limits, leading to the collapse we are now suffering,” including issues with infrastructure, transportation, environmental and ecosystem deterioration, a loss of quality of life and increases in the cost of living.
The letter places the blame for this at the door of hoteliers, politicians and real estate investors, which they dub as “parasites”.
The letter argued that despite civil society mobilising in the streets to demand politicians regulate the situation and prevent a “major disaster,” the reality of the situation has been denied, and Majorcan tourism continues to be promoted in both new and established markets, including the Berlin Fair.
“Their only goal is to increase the number of visitors and generate more money for a minority on an island that is already completely oversaturated,” the letter continued.
The letter then cites published data to showcase the magnitude of the problem: “Every year, for every island resident,” it wrote, “we receive 15 tourists (meaning human pressure on our land is multiplied by 15).”
“If Mallorca were an independent state, it would be the second in absolute growth over the last 40 years, with an 84% population increase, only surpassed by India with 91%.”
The groups angrily describe the use of the concept of sustainable tourism in Majorca as “insulting”, “because nothing could be further from the truth”.
“Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you,” the groups told tourists directly. “The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love [is] being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourselves in our place!
“It is time to take a stand. Our leaders do not listen to us, so we, the residents, ask you: DO NOT COME. We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.
“Locals say: ENOUGH. STAY HOME!”
