Around 25,000 people gathered in Palma, Mallorca, on Sunday, July 26, for an anti-tourism protest that turned hostile when a group clashed with police after attacks on tourists, according to Spanish police and the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Protest Details and Clashes
The demonstration was organised by the collective Menys Turisme Mes Vida (Less Tourism More Life), which opposes overtourism and calls for changes to the island's tourism model. The collective also highlights related issues such as housing, affected by the short-term holiday rental market.
Tensions rose during the afternoon at Ses Voltes, where the protest manifesto was being read out, but not all protesters could access the area. A group of demonstrators threw objects, prompting a police response. Around eight people were reportedly injured, two of whom were taken to hospital with minor injuries. According to witnesses, some tourists passing through were indirectly caught up in the incidents.
Police Response and Organised Group
Spanish authorities reported that "there was a group of between 350 and 400 demonstrators perfectly organised who were seeking trouble from the start," and explained that police intervention became necessary after protesters "had assaulted tourists and a kiosk owner, and were throwing stones, sticks and bottles at our officers," as reported by Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Camp de Mar Welcomes Tourists
In contrast, the coastal area of Camp de Mar, located on the south west coast of Mallorca, is still welcoming tourists. Local businesses and residents joined together over the weekend to send a clear message to potential holidaymakers. A giant banner in four languages was hung at the entrance to Camp de Mar (Andratx) as a counter-response to the demonstration organised by Menys Turisme, Més Vida.
Joana Dols, on behalf of the Camp de Mar association, said it is fiesta time, and with various events planned, the banner is "to show everyone that we do welcome tourists." Disagreeing with the anti-tourism protests, the association said: "They argue that we have depended on tourism for over 70 years. It's outrageous that they're now against it when so many families here live off it." The Camp de Mar association added: "Residents, business owners, hoteliers; we all want everyone to know that we welcome tourists. Without tourism, we would be lost."
