Majorca issues 4-word message to Irish tourists as thousands plot new protests in weeks after chilling ‘go home' warning

The Irish Sun

14-05-2025

ANTI-TOURIST protestors have vowed to ramp up their campaign across Spain this summer - with fears growing that holidaymakers will be targeted.
But Majorca has issued an open letter to tourists amid concerns that travellers will be put off from visiting the sun-soaked island.
Advertisement
4
Locals at a demonstration against mass tourism in Majorca last year
Credit: Alamy Live News
4
A member of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrates against the tourist saturation on the beach of Palma de Mallorca
Credit: Getty Images
Thousands are expected to rally against overtourism at new protests scheduled across over a dozen Spanish cities on June 15 - the height of the summer holiday season.
It is understood that some
- potentially causing flight chaos - and blockade buses carrying tourists.
And, after holidaymakers were
Hostile messages against foreigners and tourists written on public walls have been on the rise - sparking fears that anti-tourist movements could become more hateful.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN TRAVEL
Overcrowding has become the main problem in many sunny destinations, with authorities trying to find a solution to keep both tourists and locals happy.
In an open letter to tourists who normally flock to the Balearic Island in the Mediterranean, the Majorcan tourist board said negative impacts of mass tourism must be "addressed collectively".
But the bosses warned that the tourism sector as whole should not be demonised.
The letter said: "Tourism has been, and continues to be, Mallorca's main economic driver and the reason why the island has become one of the most prosperous regions in the country, achieving near full employment.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
"No activity is without impact, and any negative effects must be addressed collectively—yet without demonising the sector as a whole.
Majorca Reacts to Shocking Anti-Tourist Graffiti
"Public institutions, businesses, residents, and visitors all have a role to play in this effort.
"The Fomento [tourist board] will continue working towards improving our island for the benefit of both residents and visitors, striving for a harmonious coexistence.
"Finally, we wish our visitors a pleasant stay and hope they will want to return and repeat their experience."
Advertisement
The letter finished with a four-word message for tourists who planned to visit the island on their holidays in the future.
It said: "Our enduring message remains: a tourist, a friend".
An anti-tourism protest already took place on the island of Majorca last month, with locals taking to the streets to call for a reform to the holiday-driven property market.
And
after
2024, foreign holidaymakers received so much abuse in Majorca that organisers even had to apologise.
Advertisement
At the event, protestors held up signs demanding "tourists go home" and "you are not wanted".
WHAT ARE SPAIN'S ANTI-TOURIST PROTESTS?
IN April 2024, residents across Spain began protesting against overtourism.
Since then, large protests have taken place across the country, especially in tourist areas like the Balearics and Canaries, and cities like Barcelona and Málaga.
In April 2024, between 20,000 and 50,000 people reportedly protested in the Canary islands.
By July, around 50,000 took to the streets in Palma de Mallorca.
Locals say overtourism has reduced their quality of life, increased the cost of living and brought in cheap, "low-quality" tourists who do not contribute to the local economy.
But critics argue that the protests and their messages could be considered 'tourismphobia' - an 'aversion or rejection of tourism'.
Anti-tourism movements have been gaining traction not just in Spain, but across Europe in countries like Italy and Greece.
In response, measures have been implemented across Europe to curb mass tourism.
In March, a coalition of anti-tourism groups wrote an open letter telling how locals are "angry", adding that tourists are "the source of our problem.
It said: "The greed and avarice of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and 'parasites' of all kinds' have led to the deterioration of the island territory and ecosystem, infrastructure problems, overcrowded public services, gentrification, and the decline in quality of life. These are all the result of uncontrolled tourism.
NEW PROTEST LOCATIONS
"Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry, and we are no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed, and many residents are having to emigrate.
Advertisement
"It's time to take a step forward. Our leaders aren't listening to us; it's time to ask you NOT TO COME.
"We don't need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem."
Protests will take place across both
's mainland and its islands, such as
,
,
,
and
Advertisement
The cities
4
There has been a growing amount of anti-tourist graffiti in Majorca
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
4
Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association with a banner that says 'let's occupy our beaches!'
Credit: Getty Images