Locals on the Spanish island of Mallorca have 'occupied' the idyllic Calo des Moro beach to protest against the swarms of tourists that descend on the area each summer. Footage shows as many as 300 people wielding banners reading 'SOS Residents' and handing out leaflets in English and German, targeting the majority of holidaymakers.
The protest, organised by the Mallorca Platja Tour social media group, is the latest in a series of demonstrations against overtourism in southern European hotspots, with similar actions taking place in Barcelona, Malaga, and Athens. Protesters chanted 'Tourists go home' as they passed through Palma's central square, with some using the phrase 'Salvem Mallorca, guiris arruix' — a Catalan Spanish expression that translates to 'Let's save Mallorca, foreigners out'.
Calo des Moro, a 98-foot wide cove in southeast Mallorca, has become 'Instagram famous' after social media posts by influencers, leading to overcrowding. Over the weekend, every inch of sand was taken up with beach towels. Organisers declared: 'For one day, Calo des Moro will belong to the Mallorcans.'
Mayor Maria Pons expressed understanding for the protest, stating: 'We understand the demonstration and we won't do anything to stop it, but Calo des Moro needs a rest.' She noted that police have verified that news coverage of the beach increases visitor numbers, and that nearby residents suffer from the daily influx of thousands of people.
The protest movement has been fuelled by anger over disrespectful tourists, primarily from the UK and Germany, as well as issues like Airbnb-style holiday rentals linked to a lack of affordable housing. Organisers criticised 'colonising tourism', saying it has gained ground on the coast, in the countryside, towns, and even in locals' homes.
Mayor Pons also hit out at social media influencers who have transformed the cove, saying some visitors change swimwear multiple times to take different selfies and claim they have visited many times. She warned that if the trend continues, erosion could destroy the cove entirely.
