Else Beekman
New anti-tourism protest in Mallorca: in Palma, activists took direct action on Saturday by stopping a tourist bus to draw attention to Sunday’s large-scale protest against mass tourism in Mallorca. The demonstration reflects growing frustration among residents who say the island can no longer cope with the sheer number of visitors.
Members of the platform Menys Turisme, Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) intercepted a City Sightseeing bus in the city centre. They climbed onto the vehicle and unfurled a banner that read: “Stop turistificación. 18:00, Plaza España. Domingo 15.”
The group shared footage of the protest on social media. In the video, one spokesperson calls on residents to join the march, describing the bus action as a visible reminder of the pressure tourism places on the island. Yellow flares burned on the roadside as activists voiced concerns about what they call the “commercialisation and touristification” of Mallorca.
Residents feel squeezed by tourism monoculture
Locals say mass tourism affects every aspect of daily life. In areas like Sant Jordi and Valldemossa, constant aircraft noise, packed roads and limited parking frustrate residents year-round. The strain extends to housing, where soaring rents and property prices, fuelled by the holiday rental market, make finding affordable accommodation increasingly difficult for Mallorcans.
German documentary reveals human cost of Mallorca’s tourism success
Environmental pressures add to the problem. Activists warn that excessive visitor numbers are draining water supplies, damaging ecosystems and threatening local biodiversity. Many believe the current model of unrestricted tourism is simply unsustainable for the island’s limited resources.
Authorities take first steps, but activists demand more
The local government has started introducing measures to curb some of the worst effects. In Palma, officials have removed over 1,700 sunbeds and parasols from beaches to reduce overcrowding. El Arenal now enforces night-time restrictions on beach parties, loud music, and glass bottles between 9.30 pm and 6.00 am.
Despite these efforts, campaigners argue that the measures barely scratch the surface. They call for deeper structural changes that shift Mallorca’s heavy reliance on mass tourism and prioritise residents’ quality of life.
Broad support for Sunday’s march
Sunday’s protest has gained wide support, with nearly 90 organisations backing the demonstration. Environmental group GOB stands among the most vocal participants. The protest also forms part of a wider movement coordinated by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification, which connects groups across Spain, including in Barcelona and San Sebastián.
One of the organisers, Jaume Pujol, rejects in Diario de Mallorca claims that the protest is anti-tourist. “This is about defending our right to live with dignity,” he says. Although last summer’s protest drew over 20,000 people, Pujol notes that little has changed since then, which is why the movement continues to gather momentum.
Mallorca joins growing anti-tourism movement across Spain
The protest in Palma reflects a broader anti-tourism wave that has spread across Spain over the past year. Similar demonstrations have already taken place in the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Málaga. Earlier this year, several environmental groups even issued an open letter asking tourists to reconsider visiting Mallorca, warning that the island faces “unimaginable pressure” from excessive visitor numbers.