British tourists heading to popular Spanish islands this summer may encounter escalating anti-tourism protests, as a pressure group announces plans for a major demonstration expected to draw a 'historic turnout.' The group Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) has called for a protest in Palma, Majorca, on July 26, coinciding with the start of the busiest school holiday season.
Graffiti Incidents Spark Concerns
The announcement follows reports of anti-tourist graffiti in the Canary Islands. Local news outlet Canarian Weekly reported a 'kill a tourist' slogan spotted in Tenerife, discovered by two expats hiking in Punta del Hidalgo. They later saw further disturbing graffiti during a walk to Bollullo Beach on the island's north coast.
In a separate incident last week, five estate agents in Majorca with international names were daubed with graffiti including 'guilty' and 'Guiris out!'—'Guiri' being a derogatory Spanish term for tourists from Northern Europe.
Protest Details and Support
Menys Turisme Més Vida emphasized that previous demands have been ignored while issues like the housing crisis, tourist saturation, environmental destruction, and pressure on public resources worsen. Under the slogan 'Majorca at the limit,' the group aims to demonstrate social unrest against an economic model that breaks tourism records while residents' living conditions deteriorate.
The protest has support from 53 social, environmental, trade union, neighbourhood, and cultural groups on the island, which hosts nearly 13 million tourists annually, with Brits comprising the second-largest group after Germans.
Last June, Majorca saw protests that organisers claim attracted 30,000 people, though reports vary from 5,000 to 8,000. Some attendees reportedly harassed people sitting on terraces. Another notable protest occurred in Barcelona on June 15, 2025, where smoke devices were used and tourists were soaked with water pistols.
Impact on Tourism Numbers
Despite reports of a tourist slowdown in the Balearics and Canaries, anti-tourism protests have not significantly impacted visitor numbers. In April, the Canaries saw an 8.3% drop in visitors compared to the previous year, but still welcomed 1.2 million foreign tourists. This was the first decline since the pandemic.
Over Easter, the Balearics reported a nearly 20% fall in in-person tourist card spending, despite an overall increase across Spain, suggesting visitors are choosing to spend elsewhere.
