Balearic environmental group GOB has called on the general public to take part in the demonstration organised for Sunday by the “Menys turisme més vida” (Less tourism, more life) platform against tourist overcrowding and in defence of the territory.
The demonstration, which has already been endorsed by more than 90 organisations and groups, will start at 6pm from Plaza de España in Palma and aims to be a collective response to the housing crisis, environmental collapse and loss of quality of life suffered by the islands.
The environmental organisation has warned that tourist pressure contributes directly to the destruction of fragile ecosystems, especially in coastal, humid and forest areas. Tourism-oriented urban development projects, they added, endanger biodiversity and protected natural areas, many of which are already in a critical state.
At the same time, environmentalists have warned that the governing Partido Popular and Vox are pushing through a legislative offensive that represents ‘the biggest speculative operation ever seen’, through deregulatory decrees that ‘facilitate the massive reclassification of land and the intensification of construction, regardless of urban and environmental planning, under the excuse of creating housing’.
This strategy, they continued, includes legalising rural land and urban reclassifications without technical or sustainable criteria, putting the territory and resources such as water at serious risk. And according to GOB, the uncontrolled increase in tourist rentals has turned access to housing ‘into a daily drama for thousands of families’. Entire neighbourhoods are being transformed into exclusive areas for visitors, driving out the local population and encouraging property speculation, they warned.
For GOB, absolute dependence on tourism makes Mallorca’s economy highly vulnerable, and they also point to the social and cultural consequences. ‘The transformation of public space to adapt it to the demands of tourism contributes to the loss of identity, cultural trivialisation and the breakdown of the community and social fabric,’ they concluded.
7 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
FredGod damn commies everywhere, under the bed, in the street, in the government. . .
LovedSoller€3m per day? Surely you're referring to the port. The rest of the island draws many orders of magnitude more than that. The truth is that most locals (Mallorquin or otherwise) aren't really struggling. It's not the same consumer mentality that Brits come from. Mallorquins especially don't spend much. They're happy to have a roof over their heads, a car to drive, food to eat, and a family. Many have lots of money in the bank (or in cash) but have no need to spend it. Those who are struggling are the young - there's limited career opportunities for them here. They'll need to go elsewhere to build a career (and build any wealth). Or stay,and rely on "banco de familia" for their well being. Regarding "not feeling welcome"... Why? Other than a few protests, and a bit of graffiti, have you been directly subjected to any form of anti-tourist sentiments from locals? I'd be surprised if you have. The protestors blame tourism for the high cost of housing, but to there's little evidence to support that. The culprit is that most of Europe - and beyond - lives in a very different economy than here. Average salaries here are in the 25K range, while in Germany it's more than double that, and Switzerland is quadruple. Personal net worth is substantially higher, particularly in major European cities. So, places like Mallorca, with it's natural beauty, nicer climate, 2 hour flight, and now, ubiquitous infrastructure... Looks very attractive - and inexpensive. In Munich, a 2 bedroom apartment can cost a couple million or more. Here, you can buy a lovely villa for that. But those prices are way out of reach of the average young family. They just don't have that kind of money. So, they're left with sharing a 2 Bedroom apartment with another family. Morale: you can blame tourism all you want. You can cut it back, eliminate it even. Penalise it all you want, but it still won't solve the problem.
LovedSollerThe money has gone into the offshore accounts of the multinational hotel owners. It's hardly benefited the locals at all.
These people are Far Left Extremists basically Communists who blame all there troubles on someone else and the list is long it’s true there is and has been extensive corruption All over the show forget about accountability for that never going to happen ,
I understand the resentment towards tourists in respect of poor behaviour. I understand the concerns of residents seeing property being elevated beyond their reaches. But I have to ask: what precisely does the island want? Tourism brings a NET €3m a DAY in high season. Yes, NET. So where, for the last 50 years has this money been going? A question which appears echoed by residents I speak to. There has simply been no investment in any sort of intellectual or manufacturing whatsoever. I believe Mallorca could be well suited to tech investment - solar energy, excellent transport connectivity to just about everywhere and hopefully local talent who want to get involved. However, to no longer feel welcome in a place we have visited very regularly, spent a lot of money (no, not bought property, and we have stayed in approved hotels, or casitas rented only from licensed owners) is disappointing. We can and will simply go elsewhere - if that’s what you want. There are criticisms to be levelled at the authorities, and suggestions available: 1. A complete failure to clamp down on improperly or unlicensed properties, 2. A minor point, but reinstall the Sóller tunnel fee, except obviously for residents of the island, 3. Explain where the vast revenues have gone, 4. Invest a share of those tourism revenues into social and affordable housing, 5. Consider preventing sale of properties to non-residents who will not utilise them for PERSONAL use less than so many months per year.
Already there are less Tourists visiting Mallorca so far this year. I have spoken to several business Owners. Who have confirmed a lot less business from fewer Tourists. As a direct result of this forthcoming demonstration. How many will lose their jobs, business, housese/mortgages etc.
Greece lost everything in their financial crisis of 2010. They were on the brink of total collapse. What has saved them is tourism. Mallorca's locals will certainly succeed in frightening off many tourists with this mass protest but what do they offer as replacement for the lost income? If Mallorca's main tourism business/income is substantially reduced, house prices will likely fall but so will tourism-related jobs. In theory locals may find rents/mortgages more affordable but in practise without employment they won't have the income to make the payments. Where in all that is holy is the sense in that?