If the Balearic Government had truly believed that proposed measures stemming from the deliberations of its sustainability pact would quieten groups that have been protesting against overtourism, then it was wrong.
A letter signed by seven entities has taken account of the fact that certain measures will not be implemented until next year. This, in the view of these seven, has caused public outrage.
The environmentalists GOB, the Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) movement and SOS Residents are among the seven. Their letter starts 'Dear tourists'. It goes on to urge holidaymakers not to come and to understand why Mallorcans are saying enough is enough.
They point to the number of tourists, a record 18.7 million (for the whole of the Balearics) in 2024, a five per cent increase compared with the previous record year of 2023. The island (Mallorca) "has been squeezed to unsuspected limits", the letter states.
"The greed and avarice of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and 'parasites' of all kinds" have led to the deterioration of the island territory and ecosystem, infrastructure problems, overcrowded public services, gentrification, and the decline in quality of life. These are all the result of uncontrolled tourism.
The government, in their opinion, "denies the reality and continues to promote tourism in various markets, such as at the Berlin Fair, instead of listening and taking measures to reverse this tragedy".
Tourists are told that "Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you". "The local population is angry, and we are no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed, and many residents are having to emigrate."
The letter concludes: "It's time to take a step forward. Our leaders aren't listening to us; it's time to ask you NOT TO COME. We don't need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. At this moment, we have no choice but to ask for your understanding and for you to understand that we, the people of Mallorca, are saying: ENOUGH! STAY HOME!"
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Addressing the horrified comments below. When are you going to realise that calling for tourists to stay home or go somewhere else is NOT going to make 17 million people change their holiday plans. Many europeans going about their daily lives will not even know about protests. If they do then good. If 10 or 15% of 17 million change their plans that will be a benefit and a start towards planning a sustainable future for the Baleares. Because one thing is 100% certain. Uncontrolled tourism is a suicidal entity. It destroys the place that nurtured it and then moves on to find somewhere else to destroy. It has to be controlled and managed, something the protestors are crying out for. Anyone who thinks they want complete and total shutdown of the tourist industry is either mad or stupid and mad . It aint gonna happen. What will happen is a decent reduction in tourist numbers will give the visitors who come a better experience. They will broadcast that to friends and family and bingo the cycle starts again. That is tourism today .
I think this publication is the biggest supporter of the anti tourist movement, as I’ve said on many occasions in comments how many of the protestors” are wound up by social media? How many are Mallorquin as opposed to settled in the Balearics from the mainland for work in the service sector? How many of their lives are the better because of what they are protesting about? How March as the emergency services, hospitals and infrastructure improved because of the tourists money, When it comes down to it, forty years ago a waiter in the bar we always frequent (he’s still there), said all the building of hotels, bars, restaurants is no good because there will be too much. The government allowed it, the Councils allowed it, and the promise of quick money was the cause of the problem. The councils allowed the trashing of the beauty of the Island, Formentor and the resultant traffic problems, the beauty of Colobra trashed daily by buses, the splendour of the front of Palma Cathedral totally trashed by hordes of street sellers with sunglasses etc, every thing that’s good trashed by coach parks. That’s not the tourist’s fault for wanting to seek out the beauty when they are encouraged to seek it out. The hordes of people herded onto the cathedral daily, so many that the beauty of the building cannot be enjoyed, and the reverence of what it symbolises is shoved aside, people in shorts and “kiss me quick” t shirts…… really? A dress code please!!! If the tourists go what will happen to the resorts? Looking at pictures of the back streets of Palma some are sadly drug dens and slums. Will the likes of Arenal, Palma Nova, Magalluf etc etc come to the same fate if left with no holiday makers? Our last year, you’ve reaped what you sowed and we do not like being blamed for your leader’s allowing it, and the protestors reaping the benefits of what they’ve enjoyed and now moaning about it. Loved the Island and the people, we don’t like what’s happened to the Island, old photos of Palmanova compared with what’s now. The tourists didn’t build, create roads, trash the beautiful coastline. That was developers with Council backing. One day they’ll see that they been wound up by media and a few influencers on social media. It’s time people ignored these influencers, they’re being paid for their “views”.
The environmental impact from masses of people is a valid concern. So it would be nice if the local Majorcan people who come to walk through our serene peaceful forested valley would stop trowing their garbage and empty plastic water bottles and cigarette butts away in the camino. And it would also be nice if the construction workers would cease dumping truck-beds full of building rubble wherever they can find a secluded spot because they are too cheap to take the stuff to the dump where they have to pay. And then, there are the times people come with dead pets and throw them into the bush, which stinks up thew whole valley.
Why does MDB (mostly one journalist) almost daily continue to act as speaker/communication channel for so negative, leftist Mallorca views. Such a big negative contrast to MDB’s sister publication Mallorca Magazin.
No problem won't be returning. Never stayed in anywhere other than hotel. Spent money in the restaurants and shops. I get the issues, but hope having no visitors sorts the problem.
PepeIdiot
Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyThey Don't see it like that !!
John GaughanHave a Nice trip John , Gaza will be Opening before you know it , Have a Nice Trip !
I am helping the cause. After holidaying in Majorca a minimum of twice a year for the best part of 40 years I am going to Cyprus and Greece. Thankyou Majorca for many happy memories time to go where we are appreciated.
Going to be one hell of a season stay home a lot , really with everything that is going on have to say I just don´t see it that the Mallorcan People have it so Tough that there going to start to gang up on the tourist hopefully non of the Resident´s will get confused or mixed up with tourist´s that would be really bad perhaps on the bus tourist´s in the Back only , when will MBD have a COMPLAINER of the MONTH column ?