The largest of the Balearic Islands and the seventh largest island in the Mediterranean Sea,it has long been extremely popular among British tourists. In fact, roughly 2.32 million Brits visit this popular Spanish spot, as seen in 2023, with these figures representing around 21% of all foreign tourist visits. However, residents in Majorca have strongly urged Brits to stay away as tensions between visitors and locals continue to surge.
British tourists have been told to “stop coming” with one local describing how they “behave like animals” and are “dirty and smelly.” A recent Majorca Daily Bulletin report saw readers express their strong dismay at rising tourist numbers in Majorca, with one going as far as calling Brits “poor” who “behave like animals”.
The reader added: “You are noisy, dirty, smelly, drunk and misbehaved. We are not playing a dangerous game, we want you to stay at home.”
The rising tensions among Majorcan residents towards overtourism, particularly among British tourists, are said to be largely down to the negative impacts of overtourism, which include a rising cost of living for residents, infrastructure issues, and environmental degradation.
These issues have fueled protests and anger among locals who believe Majorca’s cultural identity and quality of life are being threatened.
Another person added: “Spanish tourism does not depend on Brits, has never and will never depend on Brits. We want you to stop coming in fact.”
An open letter recently published directed at the Balearic Government and signed by several Majorcan campaign groups was published in response to mounting anger regarding a series of recent policy announcements.
One such policy that has caused much dismay was that of the introduction of a new Sustainable Tourism Tax.
Also known as the Ecothis tax or Tourist Tax, it is a new charge levied on visitors to Mallorca, Spain, and other Balearic Islands, ranging from €2.50 to €6 per night during the high season.
Despite authorities stating that the Sustainable Tourism Tax in Majorca will help promote sustainable tourism and compensate for its environmental and social impacts, locals have been left less than impressed.
The letter, which opens with the words “Dear tourists”, outlines the growing frustration with Majorca’s tourism growth and reads: “DO NOT COME.
It continues: “We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. Locals say: ENOUGH. STAY HOME!”
According to The Telegraph, in the past two decades, Majorca’s population has grown from 727,000 to 960,000 – a 32% increase.
With the number of non-Spaniards living across the Balearic Islands rising from 15.3 % to 27.6 %.