Majorca’s anti-tourism protests erupt in violence as police fought | World | News

In Majorca, police clashed with protesters as residents took to the streets this weekend. It is estimated that more than 25 thousand people attended the protest held on Sunday in the capital of the Balearic Islands, which attracts great interest from British tourists.

Angry locals took action today to speak out against what they see as overwhelming mass tourism and gentrification. It was reported that seven people were injured, two of them seriously, in the chaos that occurred as a violent and heated crowd flocked to the town. Banners carried by protesters included slogans such as “liberate Majorca” and “tourists go home”; This sentiment was echoed in various marches against overtourism in Spain in recent years.

According to the information obtained, clashes occurred during the march because the police cut off the planned end point of the march due to security concerns.

Protesters jumped over the barriers after the police responded with batons. Sun reports. According to media reports, bottles were allegedly thrown at police officers after they hit some protesters with batons. It was reported that the police fired rubber bullets to control the crowds.

The march was reportedly organized by Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), a group of locals living on the island.

In a post on social media, the activist group said residents were experiencing an “unprecedented housing crisis and accelerating decline in living conditions.”

“We declare that Mallorca has reached its ecological, territorial and social limits, the limit of human pressure and the limit of what its inhabitants can endure.”

Protesters believe sun seekers arriving on the island are having a negative impact on the cost of living for people living there all year round.

A major sticking point is rising housing costs, which have been complained about in other Spanish resorts.

According to official statistics cited by local English news source Majorca Daily BulletinThe population of the Balearic Islands increased by 280,000 between 2005 and last year, reaching 1.25 million.

This comes as annual tourist numbers more than doubled to over 19 million. Meanwhile, house prices rose from €2,207 (about £1,885) per square meter to €4,062 (£3,470).

For the first time, streets in Majorca were brought to a standstill by angry anti-tourism activists.

Last summer, tens of thousands of people participated in the march organized for tourists to “return home”. Similar protests were held in other popular Spanish travel destinations in the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Barcelona and Madrid.

But not all locals are so staunchly opposed. last year majorca According to the Spanish newspaper, the Federation of Hotel Management (FEHM) launched a campaign with billboards in English and German thanking tourists for their visit and expressing their hope for their return.

The importance of tourism for the islands was also emphasized.