Thousands in Mallorca demand 'less tourism, more life' in pushback against overtourism

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Mallorca against what they say are the negative impacts of overtourism.

Organisers of the march say uncontrolled tourist numbers are causing a drop in wages, loss of quality of life, noise and an increase in the price of housing, both to rent and to buy.

"Now is the time to say enough is enough. We want concrete measures to limit and decrease the number of tourists coming and to improve the wellbeing of the local population," said Pere Joan Feminia, spokesperson for the platform 'Less Tourism, More Life', which organised the rally.

Demonstrators marched under the banner 'Let's change course - let's put limits on tourism' in an action that was joined by 110 other civic organisations.

"Since we have been living here, we have seen the rate at which tourism has grown, in an uncontrolled and unsustainable way," said one protester.

The demonstration in the middle of the tourist season aims to be, "a turning point, a blow on the table and the beginning of actions and mobilisations on the four islands, not just in Mallorca," explained the organisers.

Last year, the airport authority AENA said departures and arrivals at Palma airport for July alone were up 5.9% compared to the same month in 2022, with 4.3 million people passing through the airport.

That meant Palma was the third most popular summer destination in Spain, behind Madrid and Barcelona.

And earlier this month, thousands of Barcelona residents also protested against the impact of overtourism.

Around 3,000 people from over 140 organisations took to the streets, spraying tourists with water and shouting "tourists go home". Hotel and restaurant entrances were symbolically closed off.

They were demanding action before a summer season that