Menys Turisme, Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) has been a slogan for protests against overtourism in Mallorca. It is now the name of an association. On Friday, this association convened a meeting in Sineu to discuss proposals for cutting overcrowding and to consider protest actions.
"It's going to be an intense summer." This was a message from the assembly hall at Sineu's secondary school. The favoured target for protests was Palma Son Sant Joan Airport. There was talk of bringing the airport to a standstill. Aware of legal issues that protest activity at the airport might entail, it was suggested that a resistance fund be created for payment of any possible fines. No detail was given as to how "collapsing" the airport would be done.
The meeting in Sineu on Friday. Photo: Teresa Ayuga.
Climate activist Pere Joan Femenia told the meeting that there needs to be a shared social response to overtourism and one with which society can identify. The president of environmentalists GOB, Margalida Ramis, stressed the importance of joining forces: "Collective strength is necessary for obtaining an immediate, medium-term and also long-term response." Among proposals such as limiting the number of hire cars was also one for uniting the unions.
Ramis added: "During this period of government we have to change things, because although in three years there may be a change in political colour, we already know that that is not the solution." This was a dig at the left-wing coalition and its apparent failure to tackle overcrowding.
A "massive" demonstration will be organised, although no date was set. Meanwhile, there will be a protest in Palma next Saturday (May 25). It has been called by the Sencelles Banc del Temps collective.
tranq tranquerSorry Tranq, but have you seen films of the Côte d’Azur in the 50’s and 60’s, in particular Cannes and Monaco ? I presume you have been in Villefranche when a cruise ship is moored in its small bay. And “driven” along the coast road from Ventimiglia to Saint Tropez ?
Calvia, in comparison, is Paradise.
@stantheman Bite it, we should chop it off. Any tourism that has the word Mass in front of it is past history for this island. Slowly but surely Mallorca is evolving and drunken British ( or German for that matter) yobs play no part in its future. After my first season on a yacht in the South of France 1980 I remember saying that is how Mallorca will be one day and slowly but surely it is happening. The words Mass Tourism were never applied to Cannes, Nice, Villefranche or Monaco. Hopefully soon they will never more be applied to Mallorca.
There isn't an ugly part of Mallorca and Palma is a jewel; an international city with world-class hotels, restaurants and brand stores. But overcrowding by the masses is impacting that beauty and degrading it. The tourists don't care because they're just here for a week or two so it's the residents who pay in so many ways. When I see vomit stains on pavements, bottles and glasses around the place and ugly people who eat, drink and tattoo to excess I want to run. Venice is a prime example of how too many tourists are wrecking a beautiful historic city. Let's pray we find solutions soon to prevent Palma and other parts of the island following suit.
I was cut off in my prime. Simply adding more asphalt will do nothing except create more space for cars. If the threat of demos gets strong enough then hopefully the politicos will have to take notice . The fact this is happening in many similar locations only strengthens the argument.
Surely creating a Tourism Operators Group is like employing a fox to guard the henhouse. We should use brains but the brains of those actually in place, ie the politicians who have the power to do something. Experience shows they need deal of forcing to do something and hence banners rallies and the threat of major shutdowns like the airport, seaports, sanitation dept and so on. Anyone can go on a demonstration and if the numbers are enough then they have to take notice. The roads, especially around Palma are at breaking point and simply adding more ashfelt
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Be very careful what you wish for! Think of the residents traveling as well as tourists!
tranq tranquerSorry Tranq, but have you seen films of the Côte d’Azur in the 50’s and 60’s, in particular Cannes and Monaco ? I presume you have been in Villefranche when a cruise ship is moored in its small bay. And “driven” along the coast road from Ventimiglia to Saint Tropez ? Calvia, in comparison, is Paradise.
What makes the immigrant/expat posters here think that they aren’t part of the problem ?.
I have lived in the old town of Palma for over 18 years and have seen what has become of it. I will be at the march.
@stantheman You are so right, this island relies heavily on tourism. You start getting rid of them and see how many people lose jobs.
@stantheman Bite it, we should chop it off. Any tourism that has the word Mass in front of it is past history for this island. Slowly but surely Mallorca is evolving and drunken British ( or German for that matter) yobs play no part in its future. After my first season on a yacht in the South of France 1980 I remember saying that is how Mallorca will be one day and slowly but surely it is happening. The words Mass Tourism were never applied to Cannes, Nice, Villefranche or Monaco. Hopefully soon they will never more be applied to Mallorca.
There isn't an ugly part of Mallorca and Palma is a jewel; an international city with world-class hotels, restaurants and brand stores. But overcrowding by the masses is impacting that beauty and degrading it. The tourists don't care because they're just here for a week or two so it's the residents who pay in so many ways. When I see vomit stains on pavements, bottles and glasses around the place and ugly people who eat, drink and tattoo to excess I want to run. Venice is a prime example of how too many tourists are wrecking a beautiful historic city. Let's pray we find solutions soon to prevent Palma and other parts of the island following suit.
I was cut off in my prime. Simply adding more asphalt will do nothing except create more space for cars. If the threat of demos gets strong enough then hopefully the politicos will have to take notice . The fact this is happening in many similar locations only strengthens the argument.
" DO NOT BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU ?"
Surely creating a Tourism Operators Group is like employing a fox to guard the henhouse. We should use brains but the brains of those actually in place, ie the politicians who have the power to do something. Experience shows they need deal of forcing to do something and hence banners rallies and the threat of major shutdowns like the airport, seaports, sanitation dept and so on. Anyone can go on a demonstration and if the numbers are enough then they have to take notice. The roads, especially around Palma are at breaking point and simply adding more ashfelt