More than 55 percent of people who took part in a poll on our website said that they would think twice before booking a holiday to Mallorca following the protests against mass tourism over the weekend. We launched our survey yesterday morning with the question: "Have the anti-tourism marches made you think twice about coming on holiday to Mallorca?"
At the time of writing, after one thousand people had voted, 55.4 percent said that they would think twice and the figure is still rising. The survey result will come as a blow for the thousands of people who work in tourism and will be a wake-up call for the local authorities.
Many Britons, who usually come on holiday to the island, are concerned at the protests and how their small piece of paradise is now making headlines across the globe for all the wrong reasons. Scores of foreign journalists covered the anti-tourism march in Palma on Sunday. Opinions are mixed from those who say that they will go elsewhere to others who are trying to understand the reasons for the protests.
Bulletin online reader, Christian Collett, said in a comment on our website: "I have a deep affection for Mallorca and Spain in general. There's an almost unexplainable connection many of us (the good ones, at least!) feel toward the place—a sense of familiarity mixed with admiration. But I also understand the frustration felt by the locals. It’s a double-edged sword. The island depends heavily on tourism—nearly 50% of its GDP and 38% of employment, according to recent data—but that same reliance is beginning to wear thin among residents. The issue is compounded by soaring property prices, driven by wealthy overseas buyers snapping up homes as holiday retreats. It's not a uniquely Mallorcan problem; we see the same thing here in the UK. But when a local can no longer afford to live in their own town, the cultural and social cost becomes painfully clear."
One Spaniard said in a post: "The protesters' behavior does not reflect the opinion of all residents. Most residents are against these demonstrations."
Another online reader David Holland said: "Mass tourism and cheaper housing aren’t interconnected or the same thing. Monaco has many rich people, very expensive property and club sandwiches. There’s also many tourists that walk its streets of gold and buy very expensive club sandwiches. But the indigenous peoples of Monaco have state subsidies for accommodation, reasonable salaries and excellent benefits. All paid for by tourists, and expensive club sandwiches. VAT . Pays , from rich residents and tourists. Unfortunately the Balearics don’t benefit from the tourism and foreign residents, Madrid does. The problem is within Spain´s politics control not the other."
TawnyIf people in Mallorca are dumb, greedy and petty as you claim as they sell to the highest bidder.
That means that people are dumb, greedy and petty, in for example Cornwall, as they also sold to the highest bidder, and has done for years.
Be careful and look in the mirror before you accuse others what exactly happens in the UK.
I have used local tradesmen and NEVER EVER felt cheated, ripped or taken advantage of.
Given that these protesters squirt water at people, what’s the legal position?
How long before these social media following individuals, now using coloured smoke, decide that instead of water let’s put some dye or ink in the mix and wreck clothing?
Can’t believe foreign nationals living in Spain now joining in. They were tourists once. Hypocritical?
A Welshman, a Scotsman, And a Londistaner walk into an Irish bar in Majorca...
Spoiler alert! Our story doesnt end well. Or, it does, depending on who you ask.
When are the residents of this island going to wake up and realise that the problem is the corruption and greed of the government. They rake in absolute millions every year from tourism, but pocket the lot! I have noticed everywhere i go that even road markings are so faded they are almost invisible. Lets hope they start to get sued by the tourists having accidents due to inadequate markings. Third world overhead wiring still adorns the streets of towns and villages in 2025. I've come to the conclusion that most Mallorquins are dumb, greedy, petty-minded peasants. They lie, rip people off, sell to the highest foreign bidder then moan they can't afford a home! Makes "A Winter in Mallorca" so accurate! Oh, and they moaned about that too once it was translated so they could understand it! DUMB, GREEDY, STUPID PEASANTS!
Organ WelshmanThat's ironic. You have always characterised me as a lowlife "foreigner" for being Welsh (I'm actually only half Welsh, but that doesn't matter to you).
But other than claiming to have "loadsamoney" living in some palace in Son Vida (ironically a place full of foreigners that you despise), you exhibit pretty much the character of a stereotypical "little Englander" with limited resources and complaining that everything is beneath you. As if you haven't a clue what's around you.
Plus, it's hardly any secret that Britons account for less than 18% of tourism here, and are concentrated in the area around Magaluf, because it's less "foreign" than the "rest of the island" that you and most other Brits assume is a desert wasteland (because you've never been). Yes a few venture out. Pollença, Calas de Mallorca, I even found one in llucmajor. No doubt there's a few more open minded Brits around other pls rs, but pretty much you rarely hear a British voice outside of Calvia, port de Pollença, or Calas de Mallorca.
So, if all Britons left (won't happen) then Magaluf would suffer for a bit. Until it successfully attracted the other 82%.
Immediately after Brexit, Magaluf (Melia, actually) started promoting it in continental Europe. But Europeans already know that Magaluf is a British enclave, one of the infamous down-market resorts on the island, and as "foreigners" they would not be welcome there. Plus, there's way bwtt
So "Magaluf" is a turn-off to about 80+% of tourism to Mallorca. Melia wants to change the name to "Calvia beach" to attract the more lucrative tourists from northern Europe, but there's still a bit too much dependence on British tourists, it's not a good idea to offend them, and so that idea is a bit unpopular. But if Brits leave, it will likely be the first thing Magaluf will do.
The others; Port de Pollença, Calas de Mallorca... Same thing. Just switch the marketing focus to more lucrative markets.
It's not "anti-British". They don't be really care where the business comes from. It's just good business.
Morgan WilliamsA Spanish acquaintance of mine lives in the working class neighborhood of San Ferrer. Very nice it is too. His sister lives in a similar one in Santa Ponsa called Galatso. From what I have heard they have no complaints and enjoy living there.
Erm... So, Magaluf/Palmanova/Santa Ponça/etc loses some portion of its British regulars. But there's plenty of other tourists who could be attracted there (especially if they changed the name to mask its reputation).
And the protestors aren't protesting in Magaluf or that area, wouldn't live there if they could, and in all practicality, couldn't care less.
(?)
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Ulla JacksonAnd he’s a Brit complaining about the state of roads on Mallorca. Guffaw.
TawnyIf people in Mallorca are dumb, greedy and petty as you claim as they sell to the highest bidder. That means that people are dumb, greedy and petty, in for example Cornwall, as they also sold to the highest bidder, and has done for years. Be careful and look in the mirror before you accuse others what exactly happens in the UK. I have used local tradesmen and NEVER EVER felt cheated, ripped or taken advantage of.
Organ WelshmanSo Organ Welshman complain about a Welshman? Interesting! Who has a chip on the shoulder - that's up to debate.
Given that these protesters squirt water at people, what’s the legal position? How long before these social media following individuals, now using coloured smoke, decide that instead of water let’s put some dye or ink in the mix and wreck clothing? Can’t believe foreign nationals living in Spain now joining in. They were tourists once. Hypocritical?
A Welshman, a Scotsman, And a Londistaner walk into an Irish bar in Majorca... Spoiler alert! Our story doesnt end well. Or, it does, depending on who you ask.
When are the residents of this island going to wake up and realise that the problem is the corruption and greed of the government. They rake in absolute millions every year from tourism, but pocket the lot! I have noticed everywhere i go that even road markings are so faded they are almost invisible. Lets hope they start to get sued by the tourists having accidents due to inadequate markings. Third world overhead wiring still adorns the streets of towns and villages in 2025. I've come to the conclusion that most Mallorquins are dumb, greedy, petty-minded peasants. They lie, rip people off, sell to the highest foreign bidder then moan they can't afford a home! Makes "A Winter in Mallorca" so accurate! Oh, and they moaned about that too once it was translated so they could understand it! DUMB, GREEDY, STUPID PEASANTS!
Organ WelshmanThat's ironic. You have always characterised me as a lowlife "foreigner" for being Welsh (I'm actually only half Welsh, but that doesn't matter to you). But other than claiming to have "loadsamoney" living in some palace in Son Vida (ironically a place full of foreigners that you despise), you exhibit pretty much the character of a stereotypical "little Englander" with limited resources and complaining that everything is beneath you. As if you haven't a clue what's around you. Plus, it's hardly any secret that Britons account for less than 18% of tourism here, and are concentrated in the area around Magaluf, because it's less "foreign" than the "rest of the island" that you and most other Brits assume is a desert wasteland (because you've never been). Yes a few venture out. Pollença, Calas de Mallorca, I even found one in llucmajor. No doubt there's a few more open minded Brits around other pls rs, but pretty much you rarely hear a British voice outside of Calvia, port de Pollença, or Calas de Mallorca. So, if all Britons left (won't happen) then Magaluf would suffer for a bit. Until it successfully attracted the other 82%. Immediately after Brexit, Magaluf (Melia, actually) started promoting it in continental Europe. But Europeans already know that Magaluf is a British enclave, one of the infamous down-market resorts on the island, and as "foreigners" they would not be welcome there. Plus, there's way bwtt So "Magaluf" is a turn-off to about 80+% of tourism to Mallorca. Melia wants to change the name to "Calvia beach" to attract the more lucrative tourists from northern Europe, but there's still a bit too much dependence on British tourists, it's not a good idea to offend them, and so that idea is a bit unpopular. But if Brits leave, it will likely be the first thing Magaluf will do. The others; Port de Pollença, Calas de Mallorca... Same thing. Just switch the marketing focus to more lucrative markets. It's not "anti-British". They don't be really care where the business comes from. It's just good business.
Morgan WilliamsA Spanish acquaintance of mine lives in the working class neighborhood of San Ferrer. Very nice it is too. His sister lives in a similar one in Santa Ponsa called Galatso. From what I have heard they have no complaints and enjoy living there.
Does the Welshman ever shut up? Ok we get it, you have a huge Welsh chip on your shoulder and hate the English. Point taken, now move on.
Erm... So, Magaluf/Palmanova/Santa Ponça/etc loses some portion of its British regulars. But there's plenty of other tourists who could be attracted there (especially if they changed the name to mask its reputation). And the protestors aren't protesting in Magaluf or that area, wouldn't live there if they could, and in all practicality, couldn't care less. (?)