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Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow

Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow

The Irish Sun12 hours ago

SPANISH protesters held up a sightseeing bus in Palma de Majorca ahead of a major anti-tourism demonstration tomorrow.
The goal of the act was to 'denounce the touristification and commercialisation' of the popular Spanish island, the group said.
4
Protesters held up a sightseeing bus in the Majorcan capital of Palma
Credit: @menysturisme / instagram
4
Campaigners from 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida' (Less Tourism, More Life) held up signs reading 'For The Right To A Dignified Life'
Credit: @menysturisme / instagram
4
Yellow smoke flares were seen in the protest
Credit: @menysturisme / instagram
Campaigners from 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida' (Less Tourism, More Life) staged the protest in the
They halted the bus, climbing onto it and unfurling a banner calling for an end to mass tourism.
In a video shared on its social media account, the group said it is 'tired' and 'ready to break the tourism status quo'.
It believes it's urgent to change the model to one that prioritises the well-being of the local population over the interests of the tourism industry.
Read more on Spain
The group called on locals to join Sunday's demo at 6pm in Plaza de España.
Thousands across the
They are demanding the right to better housing, decent work, environmental sustainability and quality public services.
It comes as
Most read in The Sun
Majorca, one of the centres of the protests last year, hosted the first mass protests of the year.
Nearly 40 organisations from the Balearic Islands are believed to have marched in Palma.
Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks
The slogan of the protest was 'Let's end the
housing crisis
'.
One anti-AirBnb campaign urged Majorcan locals to
Later, in May, thousands
Spain
's third wave of protests against overtourism this year.
The slogan of the march was: "The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended."
Other banners read: "The Canary Islands have a limit and so does our patience" and "Enough is enough!"
The anti-mass tourism movement in Spain began gaining serious momentum in April 2024.
Locals have been demanding an end to the problems associated with mass tourism, including
pollution
, traffic chaos and the lack of affordable housing.
What is overtourism?
Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity
The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues
As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals
Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources
In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism
Some solutions include:
Safeguarding historical and heritage sites
Promoting off-peak travel
Tourism caps and regulations
Promoting lesser-known destinations
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Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow
Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow

The Irish Sun

time12 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Anti-tourist protesters take over sightseeing coach in Majorca with smoke bombs ahead of mass march tomorrow

SPANISH protesters held up a sightseeing bus in Palma de Majorca ahead of a major anti-tourism demonstration tomorrow. The goal of the act was to 'denounce the touristification and commercialisation' of the popular Spanish island, the group said. 4 Protesters held up a sightseeing bus in the Majorcan capital of Palma Credit: @menysturisme / instagram 4 Campaigners from 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida' (Less Tourism, More Life) held up signs reading 'For The Right To A Dignified Life' Credit: @menysturisme / instagram 4 Yellow smoke flares were seen in the protest Credit: @menysturisme / instagram Campaigners from 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida' (Less Tourism, More Life) staged the protest in the They halted the bus, climbing onto it and unfurling a banner calling for an end to mass tourism. In a video shared on its social media account, the group said it is 'tired' and 'ready to break the tourism status quo'. It believes it's urgent to change the model to one that prioritises the well-being of the local population over the interests of the tourism industry. Read more on Spain The group called on locals to join Sunday's demo at 6pm in Plaza de España. Thousands across the They are demanding the right to better housing, decent work, environmental sustainability and quality public services. It comes as Most read in The Sun Majorca, one of the centres of the protests last year, hosted the first mass protests of the year. Nearly 40 organisations from the Balearic Islands are believed to have marched in Palma. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks The slogan of the protest was 'Let's end the housing crisis '. One anti-AirBnb campaign urged Majorcan locals to Later, in May, thousands Spain 's third wave of protests against overtourism this year. The slogan of the march was: "The Canary Islands are not for sale, they are loved and defended." Other banners read: "The Canary Islands have a limit and so does our patience" and "Enough is enough!" The anti-mass tourism movement in Spain began gaining serious momentum in April 2024. Locals have been demanding an end to the problems associated with mass tourism, including pollution , traffic chaos and the lack of affordable housing. What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations 4

Conor McGregor disrupts traffic and leaves locals taken aback in Mallorca
Conor McGregor disrupts traffic and leaves locals taken aback in Mallorca

Irish Daily Mirror

time19 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Conor McGregor disrupts traffic and leaves locals taken aback in Mallorca

Conor McGregor has made a return to Mallorca, one of his favourite holiday spots, and he's already causing quite the commotion. The Crumlin-born ex-UFC champion has been absent from the Octagon for nearly four years, following his last brawl, a Las Vegas trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, which was halted in the first round after McGregor fractured his leg. Whispers have circulated for some time that a comeback might be imminent, but for now, the 36-year-old has flown off for some sunshine with his fiancée Dee Devlin and their children. However, it appears training is still very much on the agenda. McGregor was spotted on social media engaging in some rigorous sprint drills, although the Irishman chose not to exercise publicly during a quieter part of the day. As the former featherweight and lightweight champion began his runs up a hill in the exclusive area of Port Adriano, cars and motorbikes whizzed past, with some even honking their horns at McGregor, who was causing a bit of a traffic disruption on a road leading to the local port, as reported by Spanish news outlet Ultima Hora. This didn't seem to faze the fighter, however. He carried on with his drills as if the vehicles weren't there, and could be heard panting heavily due to the strenuous nature of the training. Locals and holidaymakers were reportedly taken aback when they saw the shirtless Irishman committed to his circuit, and this isn't the first time McGregor has used such a technique to keep fit, reports Dublin Live. In an intense show of stamina, McGregor was filmed back in 2022 tearing up a similar hill on the island under the darkness of night in a social media video, letting out a battle cry as he powered through the steep incline. On his Instagram page, he questioned fans: "Ask yourself this: Why aren't you finding a hill and sprinting it? It's simple, effective, free, benefits are astounding." The former UFC champ has been soaking up the sun after arriving on his favourite holiday spot via private jet, reportedly spending time on his yacht with his fiancée and children, cruising on a €10,000 Porsche electric bike, zipping around in a Ferrari and being generous to the local residents with his tips. McGregor's return to the octagon, however, remains uncertain. There were plans for him to clash with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024, but an injury thwarted a reappearance. Speculation about the 36-year-old's comeback have been circulating, and McGregor himself indicated an essential condition of his return in April. "I'll only come back to a stadium," he wrote on social platform X, suggesting the Irishman would only re-enter the cage for a massive live audience. Yet, Dana White, the UFC's CEO, was probed last month by Adam Glyn about the likelihood of McGregor fighting again soon, giving an enigmatic answer in the spontaneous interview. "He's not fighting anytime soon," said White, casting uncertainty over whether McGregor will ever return to the UFC. "I haven't talked to him in a minute. But I don't know."

I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight
I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight

The Irish Sun

time2 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight

AFTER years of bouncing between the usual Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol, there's one beach town I keep going back to - and hardly any Brits know about it. Called El Palmar de Vejer - or just El Palmar by locals - this little surf town on the south-west coast in the province of Advertisement 7 I've found the quieter side of Spain without the Brits Credit: Alamy 7 It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret Credit: Lee Bell 7 There's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts Credit: Alamy It's laid-back, raw, and totally free of the usual Brits-abroad buzz. And that's exactly why it's so good. It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret. Spanish locals love it - especially those from Madrid, who drive down for the summer holidays . But it's rare you'll hear anyone speaking English, and I've never once seen a big group of British tourists here. Advertisement Read more on Spain If you want sun, space, proper Spanish food and a bit of surf, this is the place. El Palmar is all about the beach - and it's a big one. It's long, wide and open, with soft golden sand and a breeze that rolls in off the Atlantic. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' because it's got that same laid-back, surfy vibe you get in And they're not wrong - it really does feel like Spain's answer to the west coast of the US. Just less polished - and no loud Americans. Phew. Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays What's more, there's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts. Instead, you'll find only small holiday apartments, beachside glamping sites and independent surf lodges. A lot of the accommodation is low-key - think bungalows behind the dunes or boutique guesthouses a short walk from the beach. One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views 7 It feels more like California Credit: Alamy The town itself is more of a strip - a few shops, surf schools , and beach bars, all built into the landscape. There's no real centre, but that's part of the charm. Advertisement It's the kind of place where you can go barefoot all day and no one would batter an eyelid. The whole of El Palmar feels peaceful and raw in the best way. It's not overly polished or fancy, but that's the appeal. You wake up to the sound of waves, stroll out to a café for breakfast, hit the beach, maybe do a surf lesson or just lie in the sun, then head to one of the chiringuitos for lunch. These chiringuitos are what make it for me. These are beach bars right on the sand, serving cold drinks and some of the best seafood I've had in Advertisement You can get a table with your feet in the sand, order a plate of prawns or tuna tartare, and just sit watching the waves roll in and the sun in your face. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' for the surfy vibe Most places also do proper Andalusian In the evenings, some bars have live music - usually acoustic, sometimes a bit of flamenco. It's never full-on party mode, but it's sociable and fun. You won't find bar crawls or club reps here - just locals and in-the-know visitors enjoying the sunsets, which are nearly always amazing. Advertisement El Palmar's great for doing absolutely nothing. But if you fancy mixing things up, there's a lot to explore nearby. About 15 minutes inland is the whitewashed hill town of Here you'll find quaint narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views. 7 Visit the nearby Vejer de la Frontera Credit: Alamy Advertisement 7 Make sure to explore the Old Quarter too Credit: Alamy You can head up for lunch or dinner, wander the old quarter, and enjoy a change of scenery without going too far. Further down the coast is It's a great spot if you want something a bit more lively for a day or two - or even to bolt onto your El Palmar trip. Advertisement And just up the coast is Europe . Cadiz is full of history , with colourful buildings, crumbling castles, seafood markets and buzzing tapas bars. You could easily spend a day there before heading back to your beach base. How to get there El Palmar's not the easiest place to reach - but that's why you don't see many tourists there, adding to its charm. Hiring a car from airports Advertisement But if you're lacking a driving licence but have plenty of patience, you can still get there by public transport. From You can also go via Cádiz, which has a direct bus to El Palmar run by Transportes Generales Comes. It takes just over an hour and is fairly cheap, between €5–€14. However, buses aren't super frequent and can be even more limited outside of summer. Coming from Advertisement All doable, but if you want to avoid the faff, just hire a car. Where to stay, when to go You're not going to find anything super lux at El Palmar, but that's part of its appeal. If you want somewhere stylish but low-key, look at Nexo Surf House, it's got spacious, airy rooms, a restaurant and surf lessons all rolled into one. For something more rustic, the glamping options at Kampaoh are worth a look. Here you'll find safari-style tents with proper beds and private bathrooms, all a short walk from the beach. Advertisement There are also plenty of local Airbnbs scattered along the coast, many within walking distance to the beach. Some are simple studios, others are bigger houses that are ideal for groups or families. Wherever you stay, you're never far from the sea - and that's the whole point. In the busier summer months of July and August, however, be sure to book well in advance as rooms do get booked up fast by locals. Even then, it's mostly Spanish families, not hordes of tourists. The beach is big enough that it never feels rammed. It's not built for mass tourism, and that's why it's so good. Advertisement If you want a quieter vibe, I'd opt to go in June or September. The weather's still hot, the sea's warm, and there's lots of space. Flights to Seville from the UK start from around £25 return if you book early enough. If you want a break that's off the beaten track, full of charm, and free from the usual Brit holiday clichés, this is the place to go. 7 The best way to get there is via Seville Credit: Alamy Advertisement

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