It’s time to leave tourists alone

I'm honestly surprised to hear that tourists are being directly targeted or harassed — is that really the case? Or are we talking more about the fact that 97% of Mallorcans, according to recent polls, now recognize that tourism is completely out of control? Especially with 2025 set to break yet another record… Mallorca, much like Málaga, Lisbon, Porto, or Barcelona, has become a dream destination for Northern Europeans — drawn by the sun and the relatively cheap cost of living (cheap for them, of course). But for those of us who actually live here, it’s increasingly a nightmare. Locals are being priced out, pushed aside, or replaced — either by tourists or by expats buying up property. And you know where that isn’t happening? In places like Palencia or Zamora. Why? Not because of smart policy, but simply because those places aren’t full of "sun seekers." There’s nothing in place to stop the same pattern from happening — it just hasn't happened yet. The government, as usual, lacks the political will — or perhaps the courage — to seriously address the issue. But pretending this is just a policy problem, while ignoring the relentless pressure from mass tourism and the German/English/Swedish real estate hoarding that’s fueling it, is pure wishful thinking.

Message of Respect and Support for Mallorca My wife, children and I have loved Mallorca for many years. Until recently, we visited three times a year. It’s a place where we’ve made countless memories—relaxing, exploring, eating at local restaurants twice a day, and supporting the local economy as best we can. We’ve always avoided areas like Magaluf and Arenal’s seafront—not because they aren’t part of the island’s character, but because, as a family, we sought out quieter places to connect with the real spirit of Mallorca. Over time, our love for the island has only grown. But we’ve also grown more aware of the challenges faced by local residents—particularly the heartbreaking reality that many born on the island can no longer afford to live there. We chose to stay away for the past few years, not because we’ve lost interest, but out of deep respect for those whose home Mallorca truly is. The recent protests calling for tourists to “go home” struck a chord with me. I understand the pain and frustration behind the message, but it also feels like the anger is being directed at the wrong group. Tourists don’t set the rules—governments do. It’s the local authorities who control visitor numbers, approve permits, and decide whether affordable housing is built or not. As someone who cares deeply about Mallorca and its people, I’d like to offer a few ideas that might help: • Increase the Tourist Tax: Raise the eco-tax to €25–€50 per visitor, per stay. As regular tourists, we would be more than happy to pay it—so long as the funds are ring-fenced specifically for affordable housing and local services. • Transparency and Trust: Form a local committee that includes both residents and protest organisers to oversee how the funds are spent. Let the community shape the solution. • Rebalance Hospitality: Limit or phase out all-inclusive hotel options. Local restaurants, bars, and cafes deserve a fair shot at welcoming visitors. These small businesses are the heart of the island, and they benefit when tourists explore rather than stay within resort walls. • Create a ‘Local Life Levy’: A small, voluntary donation built into accommodation bookings or flights that goes directly to funding community infrastructure—schools, clinics, transport, and housing. • Off-season Incentives: Encourage travel in quieter months with discounts and experiences that spread economic benefit throughout the year, easing pressure on the summer season. Mallorca is a beautiful island, and tourists shouldn’t be seen as the problem—but part of the solution. With the right systems, we can contribute positively to the island we love. For now, we’ll remain away out of respect—but we’re watching closely, hoping for a more balanced path forward. One where Mallorca thrives for both the people who live there, and those who love to visit. With all our hearts, The Travers Family

As I've said before, if the local government know how many illegal holiday flats there are (they've quoted numbers), then they must have counted them. If they have counted them, then they must know where they are, so why haven't they been shut down? The reality is that they lied, and they have no idea how many there are. I doubt there are more than 100. It's all a smokescreen to take attention away from the real source of the overcrowding - the hotels!

I would query the hugeness of illegal letting. How huge is huge? There is no reliable data on this. In fact there is nothing reliable at all on much of what is claimed about housing, cars, immigrant numbers and pretty much anything else. That has to be the starting point for any meaningful action. I was under the impression that this task was already being undertaken by the Sustainable Tourism group. Is that not so? Of course, there’s then what meaningful action to take? I doubt very much that Mallorca’s current crop of politicians are up to the job. They are very good at squabbling though.

I'm still trying to come to grips with the "Illegal renting is carried out on a huge scale by both locals and foreign residents alike". There doesn't appear to be any tangible measure of the scale of it, and the "estimates" vary wildly depending on the political position of the estimator. And most interestingly, one would think that if illegal letting is so pervasive, then it should be a doddle to pick them off... all day long, every day. Yet they only seem to find a couple every month, if that. And they fine them up to 80 grand for that (when they find one). Still, there's the 300k+ hotel rooms on the island. You know, where the vast majority of tourists stay? Yet that's rarely mentioned in any of these debates. Probably because they're not "illegal" (?). But you're right, tourists aren't the ones at fault; it's the estimated zillions of "illegal lets" that no enforcement entity seems to be able to find, let alone the zillions of tourists who supposedly stay in them.