Latest news with #MenysTurismeMésVida
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘We are not a theme park': Overtourism protestors plan huge Mallorca demonstration
A Spanish campaign group leading a movement against overtourism in Mallorca has announced a large-scale protest in June that will see 60 organisations stand in solidarity. Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), an organisation which has led mass protests against the increasing number of tourists jetting off to the island each summer, has revealed it will yet again take to the streets on June 15 to demonstrate. Mallorca, along with other Spanish destinations, is a popular summer hotspot for tourists seeking hot temperatures, sandy beach resorts and villages tucked away at the foothills of limestone mountains. The group was behind a large anti-tourist protest that filled the streets of Palma de Mallorca last summer, demonstrating against skyrocketing housing prices in the wake of a tourist boom on the popular holiday island. Around 10,000 protesters showed up to take part on 21 July 2024, with people walking carrying models of planes, cruise ships and posters reading 'no to mass tourism' and 'stop private jets'. This year, Menys Turisme Més Vida said it will be holding another protest on 15 June, with 60 other anti-tourism groups, trade unions and environmental organisations taking part. The group is calling on Mallorcan residents to join them on the streets at 6pm in Plaça Espanya on the day of the demonstration. Speaking of the successful turnout of last year's mass protest, it said that it will again be protesting to make it 'clear that our territories are not for sale'. The group has called for limits to be put on tourism and the need for a strategy that will not exploit 'the territory, its resources and the marginalisation of residents and their vital needs for the benefit of tourist capital'. In a statement, the campaigners claimed that the tourist industry impoverishes people, makes it hard to access housing and diverts focus from the public sector. The organisation also draws attention to the environmental impact of overtourism, including pollution and carbon emissions. It called out the tourism sector for describing businesses as sustainable, stating that this is a 'manipulation' of language and a denial of the issues. Areas such as Sóller, Artà and Palma are already being affected by tourists, the campaign group said, saying daily life has become 'unbearable'. 'Entire roads and paths cut off by tourist-sports events, record numbers of cruise passengers, streets, squares and markets saturated with tourists, occupied and commercialised, and the situation of the housing problem increasingly bloody and without solutions,' it said. Menys Turisme Més Vida followed up with a statement on its social media that said while 'Mallorca is not against tourism', it cannot be a 'theme park open 24 hours a day'. 'Of course we want you to come. To get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, to sit by the sea in winter, to taste a freshly made ensaimada or listen to Mallorcan in a market. We want to share all that. But without meaning that we stop being who we are,' it said. The group said it will be standing in solidarity with hospitality workers in negotiations for better working environments during the high season, as there is usually an 'exploitation' of the working class during this period. 'We are taking to the streets again to say 'enough', and we will do it as many times as necessary,' it concluded.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Huge overtourism protest planned for Spanish holiday hotspot
Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) has announced a large-scale anti-overtourism protest in Mallorca on June 15, involving 60 organisations. The protest follows a demonstration last summer where around 10,000 people protested against rising housing prices and the impact of tourism. The group is protesting to make it 'clear that our territories are not for sale' and is calling for limits on tourism to protect resources and residents' needs. Campaigners claim the tourist industry impoverishes people, impacts housing, and diverts focus from the public sector, while also highlighting environmental concerns like pollution and emissions. Menys Turisme Més Vida stated that while 'Mallorca is not against tourism', it cannot be a 'theme park open 24 hours a day', and they advocate for better working conditions for hospitality workers. 'We are not a theme park': Overtourism protestors plan huge Mallorca demonstration
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
‘We are not a theme park': Overtourism protestors plan huge Mallorca demonstration
A Spanish campaign group leading a movement against overtourism in Mallorca has announced a large-scale protest in June that will see 60 organisations stand in solidarity. Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), an organisation which has led mass protests against the increasing number of tourists jetting off to the island each summer, has revealed it will yet again take to the streets on June 15 to demonstrate. Mallorca, along with other Spanish destinations, is a popular summer hotspot for tourists seeking hot temperatures, sandy beach resorts and villages tucked away at the foothills of limestone mountains. The group was behind a large anti-tourist protest that filled the streets of Palma de Mallorca last summer, demonstrating against skyrocketing housing prices in the wake of a tourist boom on the popular holiday island. Around 10,000 protesters showed up to take part on 21 July 2024, with people walking carrying models of planes, cruise ships and posters reading 'no to mass tourism' and 'stop private jets'. This year, Menys Turisme Més Vida said it will be holding another protest on 15 June, with 60 other anti-tourism groups, trade unions and environmental organisations taking part. The group is calling on Mallorcan residents to join them on the streets at 6pm in Plaça Espanya on the day of the demonstration. Speaking of the successful turnout of last year's mass protest, it said that it will again be protesting to make it 'clear that our territories are not for sale'. The group has called for limits to be put on tourism and the need for a strategy that will not exploit 'the territory, its resources and the marginalisation of residents and their vital needs for the benefit of tourist capital'. In a statement, the campaigners claimed that the tourist industry impoverishes people, makes it hard to access housing and diverts focus from the public sector. The organisation also draws attention to the environmental impact of overtourism, including pollution and carbon emissions. It called out the tourism sector for describing businesses as sustainable, stating that this is a 'manipulation' of language and a denial of the issues. Areas such as Sóller, Artà and Palma are already being affected by tourists, the campaign group said, saying daily life has become 'unbearable'. 'Entire roads and paths cut off by tourist-sports events, record numbers of cruise passengers, streets, squares and markets saturated with tourists, occupied and commercialised, and the situation of the housing problem increasingly bloody and without solutions,' it said. Menys Turisme Més Vida followed up with a statement on its social media that said while 'Mallorca is not against tourism', it cannot be a 'theme park open 24 hours a day'. 'Of course we want you to come. To get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, to sit by the sea in winter, to taste a freshly made ensaimada or listen to Mallorcan in a market. We want to share all that. But without meaning that we stop being who we are,' it said. The group said it will be standing in solidarity with hospitality workers in negotiations for better working environments during the high season, as there is usually an 'exploitation' of the working class during this period. 'We are taking to the streets again to say 'enough', and we will do it as many times as necessary,' it concluded.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Canary Islands' bleak promise to Irish tourists as summer holiday warning issued
Spain has long been one of Ireland's favourite sun holiday destinations, but growing unrest among locals could soon affect how welcome tourists - including the Irish - are made to feel. Tensions over mass tourism are flaring up once again, with a fresh wave of protests erupting across some of the most popular holiday hotspots. Locals, frustrated by rising property prices and overcrowded towns, are calling for restrictions on tourism, claiming that their communities are being overwhelmed. Protesters have taken to the streets in places like Majorca and Tenerife, waving banners that read "Let's change course and set limits on tourism" and "This isn't tourism-phobia, it's numbers: 1,232,014 residents, 18 million tourists". These demonstrations follow a string of similar actions last year, as locals grow increasingly verbal about the impact of mass tourism. In Majorca, one of the island's famous Osborne bulls was recently defaced with the words "Rich foreign property buyers go to hell" painted in red. Meanwhile, in Tenerife - the most visited of the Canary Islands - the sentiment turned even darker with a chilling sign spotted threatening to "kill a tourist" and reports of activists setting rental cars on fire. While these actions have largely been symbolic or aimed at sparking debate, they highlight the rising resentment toward the ever-growing number of tourists, particularly in areas which are firm favourites among Irish travellers. One of the leading groups behind the protests, Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), has made a bleak promise to intensify its campaign ahead of the busy summer season. Organiser Pere Joan previously told the Mirror: "We hope to do the same as occupy the beaches in places that have a mass of tourists. "There will also be one big day of protests, although we don't know when this will be. It may be on 5 April when there will be national protests on housing prices. Our capacity to mobilise people was important last year. We had two protests of more than 20,000 persons and 40,000 in one of them." With approximately 2.5 million Irish citizens visiting Spain each year, the unrest has prompted travel experts to issue warnings. Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Tour, advised holidaymakers to do their research and avoid known protest areas. She told Mirror UK: "Search possible areas of protest and locations off-limits to avoid any safety issues and disruptions to your trip. Take less touristy places such as small towns on the northern coast since it is less crowded." The travel expert also advised to "check local updates" when you arrive at your destination and book tours with local guides. She added: "The safer choice though, would be to consider other destinations until the unrest stops. If you must visit, book tours and hotels with cancellation policies so you won't lose your money." Despite the growing backlash, many in Spain - particularly those in the tourism sector - are urging visitors not to be deterred. Some restaurants and businesses in Lanzarote have started displaying stickers reading "Lanzarote loves tourism" in their windows as a way of reassuring holidaymakers. Holiday experts at On the Beach travelled to Spain last year to get a better understanding of the protests. Chief customer officer Zoe Harris explained: "We sent a team out there to speak to locals directly and it turns out there is a lot of frustration with their own government, not necessarily Irish tourists." While some holidaymakers are being met with anti-tourist graffiti, according to the travel retailer, interviews with Tenerife locals paint a different picture. Restaurant owners, bar staff and hotel owners are welcoming more tourists to the island as they say they love them coming over. Some Spanish locals said that it's not the Irish that they are unhappy with, it's landlord greed and their own government, who have done little to stop the ever-increasing cost-of-living crisis on the island. Expat Sandra Laurie, who has lived in Spain for nine years, urged holidaymakers to "still visit Spain" - arguing most of the protests revolve around landlord greed as opposed to tourists themselves. She said: "Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world. If you have a trip planned - don't let the headlines deter you. The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer."
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spain's £15 tourist tax in chaos as popular region delays strict rule
In a huge victory for Brits, Spain's region of Catalonia - which includes hotspots such as Barcelona and Costa Brava - has postponed doubling its tourist tax ahead of the peak summer season Controversial plans to double the tourist tax in Spain's most visited region have hit a major snag. Earlier this year, it was revealed Catalonia - which includes hotspots such as Barcelona, Costa Brava, Sitges, and Costa Daurada - was doubling visitor levies to clamp down on over-tourism. Scheduled to come into effect in May, the tourist tax will be based on the type of accommodation holidaymakers opt for. Campsite visitors in Barcelona will be subjected to €2 (£1.70) fees per day, while those staying at five-star hotels in the regional capital will be stung with €7 (£5.95) daily taxes. Combine this with Bareclona's municipal surcharge (currently set at €4 but could double) and tourists may soon be forking out €15 per night. This means seven nights in a fancy hotel will cost travellers an additional €105 (£89.26). As previously reported, passengers on board cruise ships docked at Barcelona's port for more than 24 hours will have to pay a tax of €6, while those on cruises that stay for more than 24 hours can expect taxes of €4 per night. Despite objections from leaders in the tourism industry, the move could result in €200 million generated in the region. The government has vowed to allocate at least a quarter of revenue generated by the levy upcharge to alleviate the country's housing crisis - which locals often blame on holidaymakers pushing demand for short-term rentals and soaring costs. However, in a huge victory for sun-worshipping Brits - this bold policy has been delayed until October 2025 at the earliest, after being embroiled in 'legal and procedural challenges'. Postponed tourist taxes won't go down well with fed-up locals, who have already vowed to unleash misery amongst Brits this summer with more planned protests. Last year, Lydia Morales, a teacher living in the Canary Islands, argued her salary barely covered her rent - and that not everybody benefits from an influx of tourists. "The priority of the politicians is still creating more construction of towers for tourism complexes," she said. "The priorities of the citizens of the country are left behind, we don't have a hospital in the south of the island, and the infrastructure is collapsing because there is so much traffic." The blow will only add to Spain's escalating anti-tourist sentiment, which has slowly spun into violent action. Back in March, a shocking sign threatening to 'Kill A Tourist' was spotted in Tenerife, while reports also emerged that anonymous activists had torched rental cars on the island to send a clear message to holidaymakers. Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) - who has been at the forefront of Spain's anti-tourist wave for several years - has also vowed to 'intensify' efforts over the peak months. This will likely see residents take to tourist-riddled areas, armed with banners demanding they 'go home'.
