Publicity such as that has perhaps contributed to what a one-time resident, Adrià Arbona Orero, now sees. Singer with the pop group Papa Topo, he has explained on social media that he returned to Fornalutx, "the beautiful village where I spent my childhood". "And I couldn't help crying with rage."
Part of the house where he once lived is now an ice-cream parlour. The place next door used to be a carpenter's. It now has a typical Airbnb padlock on the door.
Once upon a time it was a quiet place. "The streets are now packed with influencers posing under the scorching sun; local people have become a very rare species." The only bakery no longer sells traditional Mallorcan pa moreno bread, but it has pain au chocolat and sourdough bread.
In his view, tourism has had a certain negative impact. "By driving the locals out of their homes, increasing the prices of housing and turning traditional businesses into souvenir shops, they are destroying the way of life of the inhabitants. What makes our land special and interesting is disappearing under the claws of tourism.
"Globalisation is destroying our way of life and imposing cultural homogenisation. In Fornalutx it will soon be almost the same as in Malasaña (Madrid)."
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I see there is a row of six terrace newbuilds which went up last year in Fornalutx, local developer, on sale from €1.2-1.5M. Meanwhile a neighbour is offering his 30m2 shack in the mountains (no road, water, electricity or possibility of planning) on Idealista for a cool €300k (no agents fees).
It is so sad, that the globalism brought us just comersialism...Mallorca is getting worst and worst, losing his character and atmosphere...The article is just pure example of what is going on...
"By driving the locals out of their homes..." No. The locals decided to sell up and cash in, not to other locals, but to the highest bidder. Where is Adrià's childhood home? Who sold it? No one drove anyone out. Greed of the last generation of homeowners is the cause of them selling out their community. Adrià, blame your parents, they caused this.
Its interesting that this guy "returned" to Fornalutx. Maybe if all the youngsters hadn't deserted their villages for the bright lights in the first place, they wouldnt gave let guiris take over and gentrify what was once tradition. You can't have it all ways........and get some decent shoes!
Mallorca has sold its soul to the tourist Dollar/Euro, now some are crying, while others have cashed in big. Meanwhile, everyone is fed up with the situation and would like some rebalancing.
Well said Adrià!