Around 10,000 protesters entered the sea at S'Arenal de sa Ràpita in Majorca on July 6, 2026, forming a human chain to demand stronger protections for the island's coastline. Campaigners warn that proposed planning changes could turn the protected Es Trenc natural area into "another Magaluf," a nearby resort known for mass tourism.
Protest Against New Planning Rules
The demonstration was organized by environmental groups including GOB, Terraferida, and the Menys Turisme Menys Vida platform. Protesters oppose new regulations they say could weaken protections around Es Trenc, allowing new hotels, apartments, car parks, power lines, and sand extraction.
Chants of "Who wants Majorca does not destroy it" echoed as activists rejected assurances from politicians that the area would remain safeguarded. They called for "concrete and urgent measures for the common good" instead of what they described as empty promises.
Historical Context and Official Response
Tonina Siquier, vice-president of GOB, called the demonstration a "resounding success" that exceeded expectations. She noted that similar protests occurred in 1977, 1983, 1990, and 2012, regretting the need for such actions in the current era.
Balearic government president Marga Prohens dismissed claims of inadequate protection as "hoaxes," while Agriculture Minister Joan Simonet recorded a video from the site promising the beach would remain protected. However, protest groups maintained that the new legal framework could still allow increased construction and tourism activity.
Manifesto and Warnings
In a manifesto, the groups stated: "No matter how much Minister Simonet makes videos promising that not a single square metre of Es Trenc will be left unprotected, the reality is that this new legal framework is tailor-made to fill Es Trenc with constructions, beach bars, car parks, beach services and tourist uses of all kinds." They warned that more flexible planning rules could lead to apartments, hotels, and other tourist facilities, creating "a S'Arenal in Campos and a Magaluf in the south of the island."
Broader Anti-Overtourism Movement
The Menys Turisme Menys Vida movement has previously organized large-scale demonstrations, including a protest in Palma on July 21, 2024, which attracted around 50,000 people calling for limits on tourism growth. Campaigners have used symbolic actions such as barricades, illuminated messages on buildings, and models of planes and cruise ships to highlight concerns about mass tourism.
David Comas, spokesman for Menys Turisme Menys Vida, said: "We can't cope with more tourists." He claimed Majorca had become a "theme park" where young people struggle to find affordable housing and gain independence.
Wider Spanish Protests
The latest demonstration is part of a wave of anti-overtourism protests across Spain. The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands have been main centers, with similar protests in Barcelona and Malaga. Some foreign visitors have faced hostility, including holidaymakers in Palma who were booed and jeered while eating in a local square in May 2024. Officials later apologized. Other incidents include activists spraying water at a tourist bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia and protesters entering a party beach in Majorca carrying anti-tourism banners.
A further march has been planned for July 26, 2026, following previous demonstrations that saw activists gather in Palma's city center with drums after rallies ended.
