After thousands of Mallorcan tourists arrived to watch the festival over the weekend, they were told by neighbours in upscale Menorca to “go home”.
Ironically, residents of Mallorca, which has seen a series of protests against British and other foreign tourists, got their own revenge yesterday when around 20,000 people took the ferry to Minorca.
Island-hoppers were greeted by Minorcans wearing T-shirts that read “Mallorcan.” [the Spanish name for the island’s inhabitants] People saying “Go home” and “Catalans” [Catalonia is the nearest part of mainland Spain] Go home.’
The protests came after a local newspaper published a video showing Mallorcans “balconing” in Menorca – the dangerous practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools which has left many young British tourists dead or injured in recent years.
Mallorcans travel to Minorca for the annual festival of St. John the Baptist, which attracts thousands of people to the medieval port town of Ciutadella.
Neighbours in an upscale Menorca town have been told to “go home” after thousands of Mallorcan tourists arrived for a weekend festival.
Ironically, residents of Mallorca, where a series of protests against British and other foreign tourists have been taking place, got their own revenge yesterday.
The highlight of the festival is the Caragór del Born, when over 100 elegantly suited people enter the huge Plaça del Born and ride through the crowd on horseback, rearing up on their hind legs, symbolizing power and nobility.
In addition to the T-shirts, protesters from the group “Salvem Sant Joan” (Save Saint John) carried a huge banner that read: “Saint John is not a business, it’s a feeling. Enough with the crowds.”
The highlight of the festival is the Caragór del Born, when over 100 elegantly suited people enter the huge Plaça del Born and ride through the crowd on horseback, rearing up on their hind legs, symbolizing power and nobility.
One person was injured during yesterday’s festival, which is not uncommon in the crowded square, especially as festival-goers traditionally smack the hindquarters of passing horses.
Earlier, Ultima Hora newspaper reported that residents in the Menorca resort of Cala en Blanes had filmed young Mallorcan tourists jumping from the balcony of their holiday villa into the swimming pool below.
She told the newspaper that the youngsters were around 15 or 16 years old and that she had contacted police but was told there was nothing they could do as the villa was private property.
She herself tried to dissuade him from jumping but was unsuccessful, and expressed concern that the situation would “get out of hand” if authorities did not act.
The latest incident comes after the mayor of Magaluf vowed a “zero tolerance” attitude towards drunken behaviour from British and other tourists, but said they were welcome if they were well-behaved.
Anti-tourist demonstrations have been held in Mallorca by locals unhappy with soaring property prices and fed up with crowded resorts and beaches.
In an exclusive interview with Mail Online, Joao Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvia district which includes Magaluf, said: “In your country it is not acceptable to urinate in the street, to walk around drunk, to drink like there is no tomorrow and to be half-naked – the message is that it is the same here.”
“Of course, all tourists are welcome in Mallorca, but we ask them to behave in the same way they would if they were in their home country.”
“Please take care of our people and the environment. Tourists have been coming to Mallorca for the last 60 years.”
“This is our main industry and we want to provide the best possible service to tourists and look our best. Tourists are always welcome in Mallorca.”
But he stressed that the island values ”quality over quantity” when it comes to tourists, and suggested that, like most Spaniards, he prefers to host well-behaved families with children rather than the rampaging groups of single men and women who have given the resort the nickname “Sugarf”.
“The street is not a bar,” he said. “If you want to drink, you should go to a bar, not the street.”
