Spain’s growing anti-tourism movement continued over the weekend, with demonstrations in Mallorca and Granada protesting the impact of mass tourism on locals.
This comes amid recent protests in Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Madrid, among many other Spanish cities. In several parts of the country local governments have brought in limits on tourist rentals, something many feel inflates the rental market and prices locals out of their own neighbourhoods.
READ ALSO: ‘It kills the city’: Barcelona’s youth protest against mass tourism
On Sunday Mallorca residents took to the Caló des Moro beach to protest over-tourism in the area. The demonstration, organised by the Mallorca Platja Tour movement, saw more than 300 people occupy the idyllic cove that locals claim is becoming more difficult to enjoy due to growing numbers of tourists.
Protestors had two large banners stating “Let’s occupy our beaches” and “It’s time to stop.” Caló des Moro was chosen as a symbol of an area where residents say they can’t go as it’s becoming so oversaturated with visitors, and the protest began at 8.00 a.m to anticipate the arrival of thousands of tourists who come every weekend.
250 mallorquins s’aixequen prest en bon diumenge i se reuneixen a la platja. Cosa passa.
Es Caló des Moro, 16 de juny. Primera hora.
Revertir la situació actual és cosa de tots. Conscienciar, moure el cul i aixecar la veu tantes vegades com faci falta. pic.twitter.com/NOc6dP24Hn
— Àngel Aguiló Palou (@AngelAguiloP) June 16, 2024
For many locals, mass-tourism also presents an ecological danger with an “extreme situation” they feel the Balearic government is doing little to tackle. The town council of Santanyí, where the cove is, favours regulating the influx of tourists, and points out that the huge number of people on the beaches means that 50 kilos of sand are lost every day.
4,000 tourists visit the beach every day during the summer season, according to the local council.
Mass protests against overtourism also took place across the Balearic Islands on May 26th, showcasing locals’ intentions to continue protesting until something changes.
READ ALSO: ‘Beach closed’: Fake signs put up in Spain’s Mallorca to dissuade tourists
Down in southern Spain, hundreds of people also demonstrated in the Albaicín neighbourhood of Granada over the weekend, principally against tourist overcrowding in the area that complicates the day-to-day life of locals and drives up rents.
Locals complain that the famously narrow streets of Albaicín are now always packed with people, mostly tourists. “They don’t let people through, many groups come to see it,” one woman said, referring to the picturesque neighbourhood in the shadow of the Alhambra.
As many as 200 people gathered at the Mirador de San Nicolás viewing point, a popular spot for tourists in Granada due to its views of the Alhambra, under the slogan “Our neighbourhood is not a theme park, for a liveable Albaicín.”
Demonstrators also held up banners criticising the behaviour of tourists, such as “don’t take pictures of me, I’m not your postcard” and “more residents, less clients” among others.
READ ALSO: Valencia to stop issuing licences to Airbnb-style lets as rents soar past €1,000
As is the case across Spain, locals in Granada also feel that the increasing number of short-term tourist rentals in the area is causing rental prices to increase.
“It’s an uncontrolled phenomenon,” locals said, something they say has led to a decrease in the number of local people living in Albaicín.
Local resident Sergio Ayuso said “the neighbourhood has been filled with tourist accommodation. This is a blessing for the tourist agents but for the neighbourhood… it is our punishment.”
El turismo masivo se está convirtiendo en un problema para el Albaicin. Hoy el vecindario hemos manifestado nuestra preocupación por la situación de un barrio maravilloso, patrimonio de la humanidad, donde cada día que pasa se hace más difícil poder vivir.
! Es urgente! pic.twitter.com/lWzQu6zPvE— Cándida Martínez López (@candidammml) June 16, 2024
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