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The Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Two popular tourist destinations for Brit holidaymakers vow to cap numbers of visitors ahead of summer season
TWO of Spain's most popular holiday hotspots for British tourists have announced plans to cap visitor numbers this summer in response to growing concerns over overtourism. This move comes as both destinations seek to balance the influx of tourists with the needs and well-being of their local residents. 5 5 5 The cities in question are Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, both iconic destinations that draw millions of visitors each year. Leaders from these cities confirmed the measures at the Spain Talks conference in London, which focused on sustainable tourism practices. The heads of tourism in both locations emphasised the importance of limiting visitor numbers to ensure that residents and tourists can continue to enjoy these areas without the pressures of overcrowding. Pedro Homar, managing director of Palma de Mallorca Tourism, emphasised the city's shift in priorities, saying: 'Residents are our priority nowadays.' He acknowledged that the city had cut marketing budgets in recent years to manage visitor influx, but stressed that these changes were necessary to protect the local community. 'We slashed marketing budgets in the last three to four years,' Homar explained, apologizing to tour operators. 'Limits are good. Let's not be afraid to discuss limits.' Barcelona's Tourism Director General, Mateu Hernandez, echoed these sentiments, revealing that the city had already begun limiting tourism by restricting new hotels, tourism flats, and cruise ships. In 2024, the number of visitors remained steady at 15 million, a figure that the city sees as a success, not a setback. 'Residents want this balance,' Hernandez said, adding that the challenge now is ensuring tourism does not overwhelm the city's infrastructure. He said: 'Our challenge is to answer the question, can tourism save us from tourism?' Both Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona are working to create a more sustainable tourism model. Homar highlighted the importance of managing visitor numbers, pointing to Palma's strict cap of 12,000 hotel beds, most of which are in upscale four and five-star accommodations. Additionally, he noted that the city limits the number of daily cruises to avoid overcrowding. Barcelona is focusing its efforts on high-value tourism, such as conferences and cultural events, with a €400 million investment in infrastructure to support these initiatives. The city aims to keep tourism manageable while enhancing the visitor experience and protecting local life. Mayor of Palma de Mallorca, Jaime Martinez, also stressed the need to control the number of visitors, saying: 'We want Palma to be a reference point in the travel market.' Tui's Head of Sustainability, Ian Corbett, supported the move, saying that: 'Destinations have their limits, and it's for destinations to decide what tourism they want and how much.' Corbett emphasised that the goal was not to exclude tourists but to ensure tourism is well-planned and sustainable, reducing the strain on popular destinations. As the summer season draws closer, the tourism industry in both cities is facing a crossroads. For years, cities like Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona have been top destinations for international travelers, drawing millions each year. However, the rise in overtourism has led to complaints from locals about overcrowding, rising costs of living, and a loss of authenticity. This has sparked protests from residents, demanding action to protect their communities. Both cities have acknowledged these concerns and are now seeking to create a more balanced approach to tourism. By imposing visitor caps and focusing on more sustainable practices, they hope to preserve their unique charm and make sure that tourism is beneficial for both the economy and the local population. In Palma de Mallorca, the cap on hotel beds is just one example of a broader effort to make tourism more manageable. Officials have also sought to limit the number of short-term rental properties, which have contributed to the housing shortage in the city. By focusing on higher-end accommodations, they aim to provide a more exclusive experience for visitors, which will help reduce the sheer volume of tourists at any given time. Barcelona is also taking a hard look at its tourism sector, which has seen a massive surge in visitors over the past two decades. The city is working to promote a more sustainable model that benefits local businesses and residents while still attracting tourists. With investments in infrastructure like conference facilities, the city aims to shift its focus to business and cultural tourism, moving away from traditional mass tourism. Both cities are also exploring ways to work with tour operators and international travel agencies to manage the flow of visitors. While these initiatives may be challenging for businesses that rely on large numbers of tourists, many in the industry agree that a more sustainable approach is the way forward for the long-term health of these iconic destinations. 5 5
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Two major Spanish destinations confirm plan to cap tourist numbers
The holiday hotspots have stated that their '"residents are the priority nowadays", and have hinted at capping tourist numbers. Palma de Majorca and Barcelona, two tourist hotspots in Spain, have confirmed their plans to cap visitor numbers due to overtourism and its impact on residents. Addressing residents' concerns at the Spain Talks conference on sustainability that was organised by the Spanish Tourist Office in London, the heads of tourism of Barcelona and Palma de Majorca said: 'Let's not be afraid to discuss limits.' The managing director of Palma de Majorca Tourism, Pedro Homar, said: 'Residents are our priority nowadays. We slashed marketing budgets in the last three to four years.' Addressing tour operators, he said: 'I'm sorry for that. Limits are good. Let's not be afraid to discuss limits.' Warning over Spain holiday rule that could see you banned from entering for three years Mateu Hernandez, the Barcelona Tourism director general agreed and said: 'We're 100% the same in Barcelona. The city began to do this – no more hotels, no more tourism flats, no more cruises, no more tour groups.' Hernandez went on to note that there has been no increase in tourist numbers in 2024 — which stand at 15 million, the same as 2023 — and said: 'This is not failure. This is what we're looking for, Travel Weekly reports. We don't want visitors to feel crowded.' Hernandez further added: 'Our challenge is to answer the question – can tourism save us from tourism? This is the key question.' He insisted that the residents of Barcelona 'want this balance'. Calling the protests against tourism 'sad', Hernandez insisted: 'It's a minority who don't want tourism. We want to prioritise who is sleeping on beds [in the city]. Our key priorities are conferences and events – we're investing €400 million in infrastructure for conferences – and culture.' Homar said during the conference: 'We have a cap of 12,000 beds in the city – 95% in four and five-star hotels. We hardly have two and three-star hotels. We are positioning ourselves as more upscale and cosmopolitan. We limit daily cruises. We want to manage the destination. We're not in the business of marketing the destination.' Jaime Martinez, the Mayor of Palma de Majorca, said: 'We have to control the number of visitors. We want Palma to be a reference point in the travel market.' Ian Corbett, Tui's head of sustainability, said: 'Tui wants to be part of the solution. Destinations have their limits and it's for destinations to decide what tourism they want and how much. It's important we put as little additional strain on destinations as we can. It's about well-planned, well-executed, controlled tourism, not about exclusion.' Mass protests against overtourism are all set to take place across popular holiday destinations in Europe this summer, with several demonstrations already held over the last couple of months, especially in Spain. Recently, tourists aboard a sight-seeing bus in Barcelona were blocked and squirted with water by protesters. A protest was launched in the Northern Spanish city on Sunday by the organizers of many of the anti-tourism protests held in Majorca in 2024. The Catalan Police were called to intervene, when several of the campaigners blocked a bus that was ferrying tourists, close to the famous Sagrada Familia. Brit holidaymakers have also been given a heads-up regarding their upcoming summer escapes, with local residents in top European destinations like Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal not dismissing the idea of targeting airport buildings to dissuade tourists. The locals argue that unchecked tourism has driven up rental prices and stripped away affordable housing availability as properties are gobbled up for tourist accommodations and lands are bought out for resort development. This warning emerges just as loads of Brits line up their plans for some sun-soaked relaxation. At a demonstration in Barcelona, protestor Elena Boschi told the Mirror: "We want tourists to have some level of fear about the situation – without fear there is no change." Significant disruptions can also be expected over the summer; a leader of the Spanish protests informed The Mirror that militant groups might obstruct not just airports but beaches and other beloved tourist draws too, as anti-tourist fury intensifies in Spain. A protest frontman, referred to here as Lucas due to his condition of anonymity, communicated his caution that demonstrators could escalate their tactics if they continue to be sidelined. He said: "The general mood is one of growing frustration, indignation, and despair. People feel that they are being expelled from their own land and that their fundamental rights are not being protected. People have had enough. "There is a widespread feeling that the situation has reached a breaking point and that it is necessary to act urgently and decisively to reverse it. The patience of the citizenry is running out. We are not going to stand idly by while we see our homes and our lives threatened by speculation and an uncontrolled tourism model."
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces ‘long hot summer' of protest carnage
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ANTI-tourist mob fired water pistols at holidaymakers aboard a tour bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. The attack marks the start of a long Summer of protest carnage, with mass demonstrations expected across Spain in coming weeks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 An anti-tourist mob fired water pistols at holidaymakers in Spain Credit: Reuters 7 The mob shot water at those on the top-deck who watched on in horror Credit: Reuters 7 The protesters chanted "tourists go home!" Credit: Reuters 7 They also attached an anti-tourism banner to the bus Credit: Reuters Shocking footage shows anti-tourist demonstrators blocking the vehicle and squirting it with water. Holidaymakers onboard the open top bus can be seen watching on in horror as the angry protesters attack. As the mob fires away they can be heard chanting: "Tourists go home!" The mob also covered the window of the bus with a banner that read: "Turn off the tourist focus." One protester told Reuters: "We are here because we are fed up that tourism is always on top of this economic model." The attack was organised by the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for the Decrease in Tourism. The group wrote on X: 'We blocked a tourist bus and demonstrated with water pistols', and said 24 people were arrested." Were you targeted by anti-tourist protesters in Barcelona? If so, email And this is just the beginning as the group announced an even bigger protest which is set to take place on June 15. The group said the protest will "put an end to the tourist fire that is sweeping the planet, and to initiate once and for all the essential socio-economic transformation of the territories it exploits." Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Protesters are expected to gather in several cities across Spain in coming weeks, with huge protests expected in Mallorca on Thursday. Thursday's demonstration will take place in the capital of Palma, starting at the iconic Plaza España at 11.30am before going along the Avenues and end with a gathering in the Parc de la Mar. The other Balearic Islands, including Menorca and Ibiza, are also planning a series of demonstrations, the CCOO and UGT have confirmed. The demonstration in Maó, Menorca will begin in the Plaça de la Explanada at noon, while the concentration in Ibiza will be held in the Parque de la Paz. The protests mark the start of what the unions are calling a "hot summer of mobilisations". General secretaries of UGT and CCOO in the islands, Pedro Homar and José Luís García made the announcement on Tuesday under the slogan "Protect what has been conquered, win the future". The organisations represent thousands of hospitality workers who are fighting for better pay and working conditions, as well as access to more affordable housing. 7 7 An anti-tourist protest in Barcelona in June 2024 Credit: Getty 7 Hotel and hospitality workers protest outside a hotel amid a strike in Tenerife Credit: EPA According to the unions the employers refuse to deal with the wage increase of the hospitality agreement. They said this is: "nonsense and irresponsibility when they are earning more than ever, records of tourist spending are broken and the forecasts are on the rise". José Luís García said: "In other sectors linked to tourism, such as transport and Son Sant Joan airport, they have precarious working conditions, with enormous workloads due to lack of employees and salaries unbalanced with the standard of living of the archipelago." Pedro Homar added: "It is incomprehensible that they refuse to even consider a salary increase in this scenario. It is time to claim that tourism is not only the engine of the economy, but also of the well-being of workers." One of the clashes between employers and unions is the reduction of the working day. The approval of this reduction has been delayed by the Government for a week due to the blackout. According to island newspaper Ultima hora es the decision on the new hotel and catering agreement is crucial and if there is no significant progress unions will call for immediate mobilisations. It seems nowhere is untouched by the protests as holiday hotspot Tenerife is also set to be hit by demonstrations. Tenerife has seen residents rise up against what they are calling a "predatory model of tourism" - pushing locals to the brink. Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.'
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces ‘long hot summer' of protest carnage
AN ANTI-tourist mob fired water pistols at holidaymakers aboard a tour bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. The attack marks the start of a long Summer of protest carnage, with mass demonstrations expected across Spain in coming weeks. 7 An anti-tourist mob fired water pistols at holidaymakers in Spain Credit: Reuters 7 The mob shot water at those on the top-deck who watched on in horror Credit: Reuters 7 The protesters chanted "tourists go home!" Credit: Reuters 7 They also attached an anti-tourism banner to the bus Credit: Reuters Shocking footage shows anti-tourist demonstrators blocking the vehicle and squirting it with water. Holidaymakers onboard the open top bus can be seen watching on in horror as the angry protesters attack. As the mob fires away they can be heard chanting: "Tourists go home!" The mob also covered the window of the bus with a banner that read: "Turn off the tourist focus." read more on spain One protester told Reuters: "We are here because we are fed up that tourism is always on top of this economic model." The attack was organised by the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for the Decrease in Tourism. The group wrote on X: 'We blocked a tourist bus and demonstrated with water pistols', and said 24 people were arrested." Were you targeted by anti-tourist protesters in Most read in The Sun And this is just the beginning as the group announced an even bigger protest which is set to take place on June 15. The group said the protest will "put an end to the tourist fire that is sweeping the planet, and to initiate once and for all the essential socio-economic transformation of the territories it exploits." Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Protesters are expected to gather in several cities across Spain in coming weeks, with huge protests expected in Mallorca on Thursday. Thursday's demonstration will take place in the capital of Palma, starting at the iconic Plaza España at 11.30am before going along the Avenues and end with a gathering in the Parc de la Mar. The other Balearic Islands, including Menorca and Ibiza, are also planning a series of demonstrations, the CCOO and UGT have confirmed. The demonstration in Maó, Menorca will begin in the Plaça de la Explanada at noon, while the concentration in Ibiza will be held in the Parque de la Paz. The protests mark the start of what the unions are calling a "hot summer of mobilisations". General secretaries of UGT and CCOO in the islands, Pedro Homar and José Luís García made the announcement on Tuesday under the slogan "Protect what has been conquered, win the The organisations represent thousands of hospitality workers who are fighting for better pay and working conditions, as well as access to more affordable housing. 7 7 An anti-tourist protest in Barcelona in June 2024 Credit: Getty 7 Hotel and hospitality workers protest outside a hotel amid a strike in Tenerife Credit: EPA According to the unions the employers refuse to deal with the wage increase of the hospitality agreement. They said this is: "nonsense and irresponsibility when they are earning more than ever, records of tourist spending are broken and the forecasts are on the rise". José Luís García said: "In other sectors linked to tourism, such as transport and Son Sant Joan airport, they have precarious working conditions, with enormous workloads due to lack of employees and salaries unbalanced with the standard of living of the archipelago." Pedro Homar added: "It is incomprehensible that they refuse to even consider a salary increase in this scenario. It is time to claim that tourism is not only the engine of the economy, but also of the well-being of workers." One of the clashes between employers and unions is the reduction of the working day. The approval of this reduction has been delayed by the Government for a week due to the blackout. According to island newspaper Ultima hora es the decision on the new hotel and catering agreement is crucial and if there is no significant progress unions will call for immediate mobilisations. It seems nowhere is untouched by the protests as holiday hotspot Tenerife is also set to be hit by demonstrations. Tenerife has seen residents rise up against what they are calling a " Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures. Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities. Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable. They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer. Last April, The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read 'You enjoy we suffer' in English. Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. The marches were organised under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit.' Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are 'very worried' by the More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- The Sun
Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces ‘long hot summer' of protest carnage
AN ANTI-tourist mob fired water pistols at holidaymakers aboard a tour bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. The attack marks the start of a long Summer of protest carnage, with mass demonstrations expected across Spain in coming weeks. 7 7 7 7 Shocking footage shows anti-tourist demonstrators blocking the vehicle and squirting it with water. Holidaymakers onboard the open top bus can be seen watching on in horror as the angry protesters attack. As the mob fires away they can be heard chanting: "Tourists go home!" The mob also covered the window of the bus with a banner that read: "Turn off the tourist focus." One protester told Reuters: "We are here because we are fed up that tourism is always on top of this economic model." The attack was organised by the Assembly of Neighbourhoods for the Decrease in Tourism. The group wrote on X: 'We blocked a tourist bus and demonstrated with water pistols', and said 24 people were arrested." And this is just the beginning as the group announced an even bigger protest which is set to take place on June 15. The group said the protest will "put an end to the tourist fire that is sweeping the planet, and to initiate once and for all the essential socio-economic transformation of the territories it exploits." Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks Protesters are expected to gather in several cities across Spain in coming weeks, with huge protests expected in Mallorca on Thursday. Thursday's demonstration will take place in the capital of Palma, starting at the iconic Plaza España at 11.30am before going along the Avenues and end with a gathering in the Parc de la Mar. The other Balearic Islands, including Menorca and Ibiza, are also planning a series of demonstrations, the CCOO and UGT have confirmed. The demonstration in Maó, Menorca will begin in the Plaça de la Explanada at noon, while the concentration in Ibiza will be held in the Parque de la Paz. The protests mark the start of what the unions are calling a "hot summer of mobilisations". General secretaries of UGT and CCOO in the islands, Pedro Homar and José Luís García made the announcement on Tuesday under the slogan "Protect what has been conquered, win the future". The organisations represent thousands of hospitality workers who are fighting for better pay and working conditions, as well as access to more affordable housing. 7 7 7 According to the unions the employers refuse to deal with the wage increase of the hospitality agreement. They said this is: "nonsense and irresponsibility when they are earning more than ever, records of tourist spending are broken and the forecasts are on the rise". José Luís García said: "In other sectors linked to tourism, such as transport and Son Sant Joan airport, they have precarious working conditions, with enormous workloads due to lack of employees and salaries unbalanced with the standard of living of the archipelago." Pedro Homar added: "It is incomprehensible that they refuse to even consider a salary increase in this scenario. It is time to claim that tourism is not only the engine of the economy, but also of the well-being of workers." One of the clashes between employers and unions is the reduction of the working day. The approval of this reduction has been delayed by the Government for a week due to the blackout. According to island newspaper Ultima hora es the decision on the new hotel and catering agreement is crucial and if there is no significant progress unions will call for immediate mobilisations. It seems nowhere is untouched by the protests as holiday hotspot Tenerife is also set to be hit by demonstrations. Tenerife has seen residents rise up against what they are calling a " predatory model of tourism" - pushing locals to the brink. Activists have vowed to storm popular tourist attractions, disrupt public events and 'confront political leaders' in a fiery new phase of protests kicking off May 18. 'From now on, we will take our fight to the very spaces where their predatory model is perpetuated,' declared pressure group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canaries Have a Limit). 'We will boycott public events, confront political leaders during their appearances and occupy symbolic tourist spaces to make it clear that we will not stop until real change is achieved.' Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures. Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities. Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable. They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer. Last April, thousands of people took to the streets in Tenerife to demand restrictions on holidaymakers after telling Brits to "go home". The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read 'You enjoy we suffer' in English. Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. The marches were organised under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit.' Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are 'very worried' by the anger growing amongst island residents but branded holiday homes in Spain a "virus". More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport reportedly approved an initiative to reintroduce a cap on cruise ships to Palma, Majorca's capital. Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.
