The latest 'occupy our beaches' protest by the Mallorca Platja Tour group attracted around one hundred people to the beach in the Balneario 6 area of Arenal on Sunday. This was a larger number than at the first protest in Sa Rapita, when there were no more than some 20 people but a smaller number than the 300 or so at the protest on Caló des Moro beach.
One of the demonstrators said that Playa de Palma (Arenal) had been chosen as Balneario 6 is a symbol of an overcrowded Mallorca. There was also the fact that it has an unfortunate reputation for drunken tourism, but this wasn't a protest against that as such. "We are not against visitors, they have the same right as us to enjoy our beaches, but we want a change of model."
'Guiri' is a colloquial term for foreign tourist. Photo: Jaume Morey.
This said, there were one or two signs directed at tourists. Rather oddly perhaps, given that a message was directed at Germans (who predominate in Arenal), it was in English.
The change of model, as has been well enough explained because of other protests, implies fewer tourists and improved access to housing.
Two tourists on the beach on Sunday. Photo: Mallorca Platja Tour.
Two National Police vans were in the vicinity in anticipation of any possible incidents and a police helicopter flew over the area on a couple of occasions. There were no incidents. Mallorca Platja Tour had invited people to go to Arenal for a dip, and a dip they had. The banner was held up, there were some bagpipes, cries of "who loves Mallorca, don't destroy it", and that was pretty much it.
1 "We are not against visitors, but we want a change of model."
2 "The change of model implies fewer tourists"
Only I see a controversy between the 1st and the 2nd?
lol
Can someone share the link to the actually core of what message they are trying to say instead of individual signs and comments? They mention they are not against tourists but we want a change of model, Great comment, so where is the new model? What's the 1st, 3rd and 5th year plan of this model? Facts and figures? Forget the tourists look at the colour of that water they are standing in, i think that would be more of a concern
Where were they last 4 year? Protests star now when PP has the power. But decicions were made by protesters own parties. PI, Mes, PSOE...they just seem to ignore that fact.
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Phillippe DewesNice try Phillipe but so wrong. 50+ people going into shallow sandy bottom water and you expect it to be azure blue ?
1 "We are not against visitors, but we want a change of model." 2 "The change of model implies fewer tourists" Only I see a controversy between the 1st and the 2nd? lol
Looks like a nice day out.
Meanwhile half a million locals got on with their day.
Can someone share the link to the actually core of what message they are trying to say instead of individual signs and comments? They mention they are not against tourists but we want a change of model, Great comment, so where is the new model? What's the 1st, 3rd and 5th year plan of this model? Facts and figures? Forget the tourists look at the colour of that water they are standing in, i think that would be more of a concern
NilocThis must be a joke..?
Where were they last 4 year? Protests star now when PP has the power. But decicions were made by protesters own parties. PI, Mes, PSOE...they just seem to ignore that fact.
I am English, but I really appreciate the improvement in quality and service that the Germans have brought to the island. Long may it continue.