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Anti-tourism protests in the Balearic Islands are set to move from the streets to the coast this weekend in an attempt to decongest Mallorca’s beaches.
On Saturday, June 1, the social media group Mallorca Plaja Tour is calling on residents to protest on the Spanish island’s beaches.
The anti-tourism movement has announced plans for a larger demonstration this week at Sa Rapita Beach on Sunday, June 16, from 10am.
In a post on Twitter/X, the group said: “This Saturday, June 1st, we will be swimming at Playa de Sa Lapita (in front of the CN) at 10am.
“The beach belongs to everyone.”
Using the hashtag #OcupemLesNostresPlatges (Occupy the Beaches), Mallorca Plaja Tours aims to “invite all the people living near the beaches to come swim in the sea, restore the beaches so they can be enjoyed as before.”
The campaign was launched in response to comments made by Manuela Cañadas, a spokesperson for the right-wing Vox party, who said that “Mallorcans cannot expect to go to the beach in July and August like they did a few years ago.”
Mallorca Playa Tours expects at least 500 people to “fill the beach” with “laughter and watermelon” on Saturday.
In Palma, protesters against overtourism have proposed taxing cruise ship passengers, cutting car rentals and imposing new rubbish disposal fees on holidaymakers.
“We also propose limiting the number of cruise ships or only allowing ships that homeport in Palma,” Palma Mayor Jaime Martínez told the sustainability committee.
Last Saturday, thousands of locals roamed the island’s capital, carrying banners reading “Mallorca is not for sale” and warning tourists to “go home”.
An estimated 10,000 protesters headed to Weiler Square, where holidaymakers were enjoying dinner and drinks.
“If measures are not taken, we will continue our street demonstrations until we see action,” said Javier Barbero, a spokesman for Banco del Tan, one of the organisers of the mass demonstration in Palma.
