Good luck finding a spot at the beach! Majorca AXES 1,700 sunbeds from its beaches - to make room for locals
The island of Majorca will remove up to 1,700 sun loungers from its beaches in a bid to make room for locals who say they are being displaced by tourists.
Palma City Council has announced it will reduce the number of sunbeds available on four of the capital's beaches by 20 per cent, starting next year.
In Playa de Palma alone, which is one of the largest beaches in the Spanish holiday hotspot, there are over 6,000 sun loungers.
City planners are hoping to reduce the number of sunbeds there to 4,436.
The move comes amid increasing complaints from local residents who say that due to sunbed and parasol rentals for holidaymakers, there are hardly any free spaces left on the beaches to lay out their towels.
Efforts to remove sunbeds from Majorca's beaches are also in part due to sand erosion, which has set off by rising sea levels.
While efforts to remove sun loungers from Mallorcan beaches are not set to start until 2026, local cops yesterday prevented a group of tourists from setting up their sunbeds at Es Carbo beach in Ses Salines in the south of the island, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.
Spanish holiday hotspots like Majorca have been struggling to balance the promotion of tourism and addressing citizens' concerns.
Anti-tourism campaigners have long been contesting the current tourism model, claiming that many locals have been displaced by holidaymakers.
Last year, Spain saw a record-breaking number of tourists, with over 15 million visitors flocking to the island of Majorca alone.
In response, protesters took to the streets across Spain, leaving countless visitors fuming after paying hundreds of pounds to enjoy their holidays abroad.
Actions included marches on the street with protesters chanting 'tourists go home', as well as demonstrations on beaches which saw locals boo and jeer at sun-soaked tourists.
In one particular instance, up to 50,000 locals descended onto the streets of Palma.
Also last year, jeering Mallorcan protesters descended on an Instagram-famous beach called Calo des Moro and blocked visitors from entering in a bid to combat mass tourism.
More than 300 protesters descended on the cove last June as they unfurled a huge banner stretching across the beach which read: 'Let's occupy out beaches.'
Others stayed in a nearby car park and distributed leaflets in English and German informing tourists about the mobilisation - forcing tourists to turn back and leave the cove.
Footage from the demonstration shows a woman sitting across a path leading down to the popular Caló des Moro while a local shouted at would-be tourists to 'go, go, go!'
Another man sporting long hair and tattoos is seen explaining to disgruntled holidaymakers that 'tourists have taken over the beach... for one day, we're going to enjoy it', before gesturing at them to leave.
The impact of mass tourism on Caló des Moro sees six tonnes of sand disappear from the cove every three months - with 70kg disappearing in towels and footwear every day.
Locals say the cove, accessible by traversing down rocks and passing 120 steep steps, is used as a dumping ground by tourists who are too lazy to make the return journey with their possessions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius
DILETTA LEOTTA stripped down to a bikini while on holiday with her husband and former Liverpool star Loris Karius. Diletta, 33, works as a football presenter for DAZN in her native Italy. 9 9 9 9 While Karius, 31, is currently between the sticks for German club Schalke. The couple jetted off to Mallorca for a much-needed break following the end of the season. Diletta soaked up the Spanish sun in an array of incredible outfits. She was pictured hopping out the sea in figure-hugging black swimwear. And after drying off, she looked incredible in a pink bikini as she posed with a friend joining them abroad. Diletta also dazzled while stood next to a massive paella on the beach and when at a restaurant in a stylish black dress. Her stunning looks left her nine million Instagram followers in awe, with one saying: "The most beautiful, there is no better." Another added: "Gorgeous girl." A third commented: "You are radiant." Italian beauty Diletta tied the knot with Karius last summer in a luxurious ceremony after two years of dating. They have a daughter Aria, 2, who was seen in the post. Karius was on daddy duties, holding her in a swimming pool that overlooked the picturesque ocean. The German goalkeeper played 49 times for Liverpool between 2016 and 2018. Dilleta returned from her holiday in time to attend yesterday's French Open men's final, stunning in a bold white dress. 9 9 9
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Sweat, tears, devotion: Pilgrims cross the wilderness to honor the Rocío Virgin in Spain
Their faces, hats and flamenco dresses caked in dust, hundreds of pilgrims gathered around an ox-driven carriage with their icon of the Virgin Mary after slogging on foot, horses and wagons through dirt roads for nearly 12 hours. The festive flamenco music stopped, the ubiquitous beer bottles and wine glasses were put down, and the Catholic faithful prayed an evening rosary by pine trees in the wilderness a few miles from the hamlet of El Rocío. ' One can drink and hang out. Our best friends are here. But it's essential to pray,' said Meme Morales, who's been doing this pilgrimage since the early 1990s, this year with her two grown daughters. 'The Virgin is something that forms part of our life.' Venerating the Rocío Virgin has been a tradition since the main icon was discovered near this village in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia around the end of the 13th century. It has grown into one of world's largest, most unique Catholic pilgrimages. For days before Pentecost weekend, about a million people do the 'romería del Rocío' in swirling clouds of dust that's as pervasive and natural as the faithful's devotion. Feast and faith as pilgrims make their way It looks like a rolling, wild party, even among the religious brotherhoods, more than 130 of whom participate, taking different paths from around the region and as distant as Brussels. Morales' group is the Triana brotherhood. From when they break camp around dawn until well into the night, they sing flamenco songs, many specific to each brotherhood — accompanied by guitar and rhythmic clapping. Homemade food and copious amounts of water, beer and sherry are shared with friends and strangers alike. But there are prayers at every break along the country paths, priests to hear confession at day's end, conversations about the pope, mission trips and social outreach, even solemn Masses in the fields. 'Without that, this wouldn't make any sense. It would be a picnic,' said Patricia Rodríguez Galinier, who oversees liturgical celebrations for the Triana brotherhood. Based in a neighborhood by the same name in Seville, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) away, it's one of the largest and oldest, founded more than 200 years ago. Rodríguez had just helped set up Mass by the Triana 'simpecado' — meaning 'without sin.' It refers to their version of the icon of the Virgin, carried by an ox-driven cart covered in silver and fresh flowers. At each night's camp, wagons are set in a circle and people gather to worship through the night. With the oxen tied to small trees and some riders still on horses in the 90-degree weather (33 Celsius), more than 700 faithful listened to the homily by their spiritual director, the Rev. Manuel Sánchez. He quoted Pope Leo XIV 's first public words about God's love for everyone — adding, to laughter, that love included those at that moment receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation behind the wagon still grasping their beer bottles. 'There's a profound sense of spontaneity in El Rocío … just like in the Gospel when Jesus goes to have dinner with folks,' Sánchez said later. 'We have a lot of time to come to God crying in life, but that's not El Rocío.' Popular devotion rooted in a place at the margins One reason for the pilgrimage's down-to-earth nature is El Rocío's location, in the wetlands and sand dunes of the Guadalquivir River's estuary, said Juan Carlos González Faraco, a University of Huelva professor who has studied the pilgrimage. Until the last few decades, when large-scale greenhouse farming and natural protected areas have taken over, it was a malaria-prone wilderness frequented mostly by cattle and horse ranchers. That's allowed the centuries-old pilgrimage tradition to continue without the strictness of other places of devotion to Mary. It has stayed in the hands of the brotherhoods instead of the institutional church, said González. He's a member of the main brotherhood from Almonte, the closest town to the sanctuary that manages its white church filled with golden images and orange sand from the pilgrims' footsteps. Its president, Santiago Padilla, spent hours at the sanctuary's doors Saturday, solemnly welcoming each brotherhood as they arrived. 'They come laden with intentions, supplications, prayers. And it's the moment we shake their hands, we hug and we give thanks to the Virgin for this pilgrimage they made,' said Padilla, whose family has been pilgrims for generations. A return to countryside roots Padilla wore an impeccably white jacket and formal riding kit, like many members of the brotherhoods who do the pilgrimage on horseback. Women wear shawls and long, flaring dresses or skirts — to better ride sideways on horses and protect themselves from the brush and the sun. Such outfits might look like Spanish stereotypes, but they pay homage to the working traditions of many families from the area. 'Everything that has a good presence takes us a bit closer to God,' said Ignacio Sabater Wasaldúa, the Triana brotherhood leader. He rode horses this year alongside his son, helping lead the dozens of wagons and thousands of pilgrims on foot. The brotherhoods stress that their commitment to Christian life transcends one yearly pilgrimage — though it draws inspiration from it and they wouldn't consider missing it. 'El Rocío should be a model for society, with affection and solidarity,' Sabater said. Triana, for instance, maintains a chapel with daily Masses and brings nearly 200 youth from marginalized backgrounds to the brotherhood's house in El Rocío for a summer camp. 'I'm a rociera the whole year,' said Macarena Ruíz, who started participating in the late 1980s and whose three children are camp counselors. Despite Spain's growing secularization, youth remain involved in the pilgrimage, whether to maintain a family tradition, make new friends or live out their faith. This year, Triana's youth group organized Eucharistic adoration late into the second night at camp. 'That's the assurance that this will not be lost,' said Esperanza García Rivero, whose grandfather took his wagon on the pilgrimage in the 1940s. Sweat and tears before Mary, mother of God Hidden beneath the traditions and the festivities, many pilgrims are motivated by promises they made to the Virgin. After a double mastectomy for breast cancer, Paloma Maria had a large Mary tattoo designed between her shoulders. 'It's her who takes care of me. My Rocío Virgin is everything for me,' said the young woman from Cordoba. Maria Mendoza also came to give thanks when, together with García and her close Triana friends, she walked into the sanctuary Saturday after the brotherhood was formally received in front of it. More pilgrimage events awaited, culminating in Sunday night's final procession of the Rocío icon to visit every brotherhood in town. It's a massive scrum that lasts hours, after which the faithful make their long return journeys, on foot, horses and carts. But this was the first moment when the women were finally face to face with their Virgin. Tears quickly mixed with sweat and dust on their faces. 'So many thoughts swirling, for you, for your friends … it's just an explosion,' Sara de la Haza whispered. Then someone in the crowd intoned the Triana's salute to the Virgin. The friends wiped their eyes and started joyfully singing — 'You are the white dove, you are what I've loved the most since the day I was born.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Holidaying Brits warned ‘don't drink beer' in Spain as 42C African heat plume strikes – map shows scorched resorts
BRITS holidaying in Spain have been warned not to the drink the beer amid a scorching 42-degree heatwave from Africa. Areas of the country roasted under extreme heat over the weekend - and the balmy temperatures look set to stay. 6 6 6 Some spots were so hot the state forecaster, Aemet, was forced to issue weather warnings. Yellow and amber alerts came into force on Sunday - with Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen in the south worst affected. Emergency guidance was issued to tourists and locals alike advising them on how to stay safe when it's sweltering. One suggestion likely unpopular with Brits on their hols was to avoid alcohol, because it has a dehydrating effect on the body. The advice is to drink water often, even if you're not thirsty, and avoid both alcohol and caffeine. It was also recommended to "dress smart", which means wearing loose-fitting clothes - particularly cotton or linen if possible. Lighter colours reflect the sun so can help you to stay cool. Another point is to simply stay indoors during times of peak temperatures, and certainly to avoid any strenuous activity under the sun. The authorities also issued a reminder about the signs of heatstroke, so people know when they need to find help. Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion and nausea are all common symptoms of heatstroke which, in severe cases, can be fatal. Houses should be shuttered up during the day, it was advised, but and vents opened at night to allow a cooling airflow. And finally, people were urged to keep a close eye on anyone vulnerable. The elderly, people with chronic illnesses or those living alone are particularly at risk of heat-related complications, so communities were encouraged to work together to check in on them. There was a special mention for tourists, who are more likely to end up in hospital during heatwaves than seasoned locals. The culprit behind the immense heat was a plume of hot air which blew over from north Africa. Once it reached Spain, the air stayed hot thanks to clear skies and atmospheric stability, Aemet explained. Monday was predicted to bring more of the same the heat, with some areas again expected to top 40 degrees. The thermometer is predicted to remain high through this week, and above average for the rest of June. And there is also expected to be less rain than usual, meaning it will be dry all round for the country. However, there could be a temporary let-up from localised mid-week storms in the northwest and centre of the country. This follows a particularly hot May, with many locations seeing record-breaking temperatures - particularly in southern and western areas of Spain. 6 6 6
