Mallorcan political party unveil plans to scale back tourism

A political party in Mallorca has revealed its plans to reduce tourism in the Balearic Islands with a cut of up to 40 per cent on tourism accommodation.

Més per Majorca plans to roll out the new “regressive policy” in a bid to “degrow” tourism in the popular Spanish islands, outlining a 40 per cent cap alongside announcing a yearly restriction on the amount of tourists permitted access to the holiday destination.

This comes in response to many senior figures, groups, and civilians arguing for greater control on over-tourism in the area. Més per Majorca have described the matter as “excessive” and a growing issue that is having a major negative impact on a variety of things across the area, from affordable housing and access to healthcare to local disturbances from nuisance tourists.

The new policy also calls for increased measures to end tourist marketing efforts in conjunction with festivals and events, as well as a reduction of tickets for flights, private jets, and cruise ships carrying passengers in Palma over the summer months.

Lluís Apesteguia, a spokesperson for Més for Mallorca, said that the measures announced by the president of the Balearic Islands were “insufficient in the face of the collapse situation we are living in,” adding that it is “essential to make policies to reduce tourism and economic diversification.”

How have locals responded to overtourism?

Earlier this year, Mallorcan locals got together to protest overtourism on the popular Balneario 6 area of S’Arenal beach in Palma, many of which were from ‘Occupem Les Nostres Platges’, which translates to ‘Occupy Our Beaches’, a movement campaigning for greater control on overcrowding in the area.

One of the protesters told Euronews that they had come together to “demand that residents should be able to enjoy our beaches, which nowadays are only enjoyed by tourists.” Another local weighed in on the issue, saying, “From the disappearance of local culture, the increasing cost of living, the impossibility to live here, and the worsening of public services, many tourists understand this because they are aware of what it means in their home places.”

Last year, Mallorca welcomed a staggering 14 million tourists, including many before summer began. The negative ramifications have been disturbing locals for some time now, with some choosing to put out fake warning signs on several of the island’s beaches that said tourists should stay away.

Unfortunately, this issue isn’t unique to Mallorca. Many popular holiday destinations have recently issued new restrictions and laws to preserve historical landmarks and protect the local quality of life. Recently, locals protested San Sebastian against “suffocating” overtourism in an attempt to get the government to announce greater restrictions.

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