The demonstration against tourism "massification" that is scheduled to take place in Palma on 23 September has the backing of environmental organisations GOB and Terraferida as well as the former spokesperson of Els Verds (the Greens), Joan Buades, and youth associations.
The government parties - PSOE and Més - believe that the demonstration is unnecessary. David Abril, one of the parliamentary spokespeople for Més, says that the target for the demonstrators should really be Mariano Rajoy, who will be in Palma and is "the real adversary".
Abril, it might be noted, came into the Més fold because of his membership of the IniciativaVerds (also Greens, therefore). He adds that the government is pursuing a policy of changing the economic model of the Balearics by, for example, its holiday rentals legislation. He also points to actions taken by Palma town hall, highlighting this week's seemingly definitive blocking of the Fontanelles commercial centre development in Playa de Palma. These are examples of addressing "massification" complaints.
Andreu Alcover, a PSOE spokesperson, thinks that the demonstration is precipitous, given the measures that the government is pursuing. Marga Prohens for the opposition Partido Popular believes that the demonstration is meant as a test of the government's measures by the "ecologists".
Biel Barceló, the tourism minister, doesn't see it this way. It is not a demonstration against the government's policies but against "massification" and a tourism model that the government is working towards changing. He held a meeting with GOB on Tuesday and told them that the government is meeting most of the demands that have been made by the environmentalist lobby. These include a doubling of the tourist tax and establishing a ceiling on the number of tourist accommodation places.
Although the government has not made any critical statements, it will be disappointed that Podemos are giving their active support to the demonstration. But the government should by now appreciate the rules by which Podemos operate. Alberto Jarabo, the Podemos general secretary, says that the demonstration will act as a means of drawing the government's attention to the theme of a tourism model that enables "massification". The government, for its part, doesn't need its attention being drawn; it already knows.
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GOB a birdwatching charity, Jarabo a politician who sub-lets an apartment to tourists, and Barceló chief economy destroyer. I'm counting the days till the election.
Absolutely brilliant! This is bound to be in the newspapers and on TV throughout Europe. It should advertise to everyone "Mallorca is shut for business. Tourists not welcome."
Apologies. It didn't come up on my iPad after I checked it. Okay now.
What are you referring to, Stuart? The only comment you have posted is the other one that appears here.
It seems the censorship have deleted my post about Croatia welcoming tourists and Mallorca not wanting them. Ah well. Free speech now doesn't exist in Mallorca.
Croatia is going to love Mallorca. Everyone will be going there now. Welcome to the Mallorcan recession.
Morons with no brains and nothing better to do with their low useless life's, how can anyone that's doing something useful and meaningful with their life have time to stand around wearing stupid masks chanting rubbish !
Come next year,you won't have to worry about tourist ''massification'' because you will be wondering where all the tourists have gone.
They may as well have a bit of fun with their silly anti-tourist rallies while there is still some money in their pockets, because once the tourists stop coming there will be no money left for such frivolous activities.