July 31st 2024.
Since the spring of this year, Spain has been facing a wave of protests against mass tourism. In the popular Spanish island of Mallorca, a graffiti with the words "Kill a tourist" has been spotted on a wall, reflecting the growing anger towards uncontrolled tourism. The protests have gained momentum and it seems that there is no turning back.
Cities like Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and the Canary Islands have become hotspots for demonstrations against tourism. The locals have been voicing their concerns over the negative effects of tourism such as soaring housing prices, gentrification, and environmental damage. Some protesters even resorted to using water guns to express their frustration towards tourists dining at popular spots.
According to reports, the graffiti with the words "Kill a tourist" has appeared in various locations in the town of Manacor, in Mallorca. However, the centre-right Partido Popular party of Manacor has condemned this act of vandalism and emphasized that tourists are always welcome. The party's spokesperson, Maria Antònia Sansó, stated that the graffiti does not represent the majority sentiment of the residents of Manacor. She also acknowledged the growing social unrest caused by overcrowding of tourists, but denounced the use of violence as unjustified.
The influx of tourists in Spain has been continuously increasing, with an additional 24 million visitors in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year. This represents an alarming annual increase of 14.5%. Last year, the country had already reached an all-time high in international visitors. The number of tourists has also skyrocketed in Mallorca, with an increase of 1.3 million in 2023, reaching a total of 17.8 million. This year, it is expected to rise even further to 20 million.
Amidst the ongoing protests, a placard with the words "Tourism yes, but not like this" can be seen during a demonstration in Mallorca. Just 10 days ago, about 10,000 people gathered to protest against tourism on the island. Pere Joan Femenia, from the organization Menys Turisme, Mas Vida, who organized the event, expressed their concerns about the negative impact of mass tourism on local residents. He stated that the rising prices of housing due to tourist flats make it difficult for locals to afford living on their own island. He also mentioned the strain on public services during the summer season and called for measures to control tourism, such as banning non-residents from buying houses solely for speculation purposes.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
