An opinion survey conducted in 45 of Mallorca's 53 municipalities indicates that 70% of the island's residents are in favour of setting limits on population growth. Only 6% consider limits to be unnecessary; the rest are unsure.
The study was carried out by Homo Turisticus, a think tank that advocates a more balanced tourism. The author of the accompanying report is Joan Enric Capellà, a geography professor at the University of the Balearic Islands and co-founder of Som Hotels. He says that tourism determines the model of population and that if this model is to be changed, then tourism needs to change.
"What people would like is one thing, what can be done is quite another. Mallorca's physical and environmental limits are clear, and social perception is changing."
Reflecting on the pandemic, Capellà says: "When there is another economic crisis, which there will be, the perception of overcrowding will be reduced, only for it to be revived when there is economic recovery.
"The traditional tourism model is exhausted and the great demand is for its transformation." But this doesn't mean there is anti-tourism sentiment. He adds that there isn't this sentiment, only the need for a change of direction. "People are clear that tourism is a vital source of income, but that it needs to adapt."
4 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
tranq tranquerWell it was pretty peaceful during his first term, and if he had had the opportunity to have a second term, then no doubt the Abraham Accord would have allowed the region to stabilize itself, unlike the current disastrous situation it now finds itself in. Your TDS really does blur your sense of good judgement. I suppose you are of the opinion that someone who stated that North Korea was a firm ally of the USA and spends billions helping to defend a Eastern European country’s borders whilst at the same time totally neglecting her own, is a better prospect for world peace and possible leader of the “free” world.
Richard PearsonNo not at all. One is supporting a change in how a community is governed and regulated and involves no individuals. Trump, whatever his bigly great policies, is a dangerous ignorant individual who demonstrates every day his lack of competence to be " Leader of the Free World". I have an interest in the first because this is my home. I have an interest in the second because I am a citizen of the world and fear the possible effect the orange narcissist could have on the world order .
Yet you rail against a certain candidate to the White House whose intended future policies, if he wins, are exactly the same as those that you are proposing should be put into effect here. Isn’t that being slightly hypocritical ?
Finally the issue of population is going live across the island. People are realising something must be done. If you are foreign and have residency feel lucky because gaining residency must and hopefully will become more difficult. On the other side deportation of those who shouldn't be here is almost non existent. Read the local press and see the amount of foreign criminals being prosecuted and released. Read the comments, people despair as thieves and thugs are allowed straight back into the community and they prepare to be robbed or assaulted again. Just like rats in well known scientific experiments, as people are crammed together more and more we see aggression and crime rising at an even faster rate. Do not confuse this problem with tourist massification, they are two distinct problems . Yes criminals feed off the tourists but they also feed off any available or vulnerable resident.