The resistance of Spain against the overwhelming influx of tourists

7 月 22 日

If you manage to secure a spot under the sun in Majorca this summer, you will be able to witness two powerful forces in action.

The ancient waves of the Balearic Sea, as old as time itself, meticulously wash away the carefully built sandcastles of the day.

The next one, a contemporary trend, is the overwhelming wave of tourism that is on the verge of engulfing everything in its way.

Not a single spot of sand is left unoccupied on the beach. Discovering a spot to park is as rare as finding a treasure.

If you abandon your lounge chair for an extended period, your belongings are promptly removed to accommodate the eager line of potential intruders.

The island is alive with signs of a thriving economy, especially evident in the constant chirping of contactless payment devices in the bustling hotels, eateries, and bars.

A symphony of trade driven by an unprecedented influx of tourists.

However, if we are talking about a story where immense riches rain down on a financially astute Spanish neighborhood, Sonia Ruiz has definitely not received a single drop of it.

Encounter the 31-year-old mother of one in a park located a short distance from the coastline in the capital city of Palma.

Luca, her four-year-old son, navigates the different playground slides effortlessly, showing no signs of worry.

Sonia is facing a great challenge. The landlord has requested their departure, and she claims that locating a new residence is an insurmountable task.

"Each day I search, and each day the rent climbs higher," she laments.

I go as far as stopping passersby on the street to inquire if they possess any items, as the day draws near when I must vacate the apartment. I fear the thought of my son and I ending up without a roof over our heads, as we have nothing at all.

Sonia and her partner are no longer together, but they find themselves in a situation where they must coexist under the same roof due to financial constraints. Even though their combined monthly income is 2,400 euros, they are unable to cover the rent separately.

"Multiple months' worth of deposits are requested from you." There are even those who have expressed to me their lack of desire for children or pets. And there are countless individuals searching.

This weekend, Sonia, along with numerous residents of Majorca, is taking a stand against the increase in tourism that is being held responsible for the decline in the quality of life for the local community.

According to activists, the soaring prices of housing are fueled by a significant amount of properties being purchased by foreigners, or at least leased to them for extended periods during the summer.

"Maintaining this type of model is simply unfeasible," expressed Pere Joan Femenia, a 25-year-old, as he stood outside the cathedral in Palma, the capital of Majorca.

He belongs to a group known as "Menys Turisme, Més Vida", which translates to "Reduced Tourism, Enhanced Living".

According to him, an extraordinary amount of tourists are not only causing locals to be unable to afford housing, but they are also depleting public areas, services, and natural resources.

Five years ago, Pere embarked on his journey as an activist within Greta Thunberg's environmental movement. However, his attention has now turned towards the economic challenges faced by his island community.

The shift in businesses from selling conventional goods to multinational corporations offering ice cream is causing us to lose our unique identity. He expresses the importance of safeguarding our cultural heritage.

Pere gestures towards the harbor, located far away from the lines of merchants and bustling crowds that occupy the plaza, mentioning that certain cruises unload up to 12,000 tourists daily on the island.

According to him, the belief that Majorca depends on constantly growing tourism to thrive is a misconception. In fact, numerous residents are getting ready to depart permanently as they are no longer able to afford living on the island.

Pere defends that implementing restrictions on incoming flights and docking cruises will promptly alleviate the strain on the island.

This requirement will be included in the catchy phrases and flags waved through the streets of Palma during the demonstration this weekend.

According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, the Balearic Islands received a total of 14.4 million foreign visitors last year, with Majorca being the most popular, followed by Menorca and then Ibiza.

According to the institute, there was a 9.1% rise in the amount of foreign tourists visiting the archipelago in comparison to 2022, with their expenses increasing by an even greater margin of 16.4%.

Activists argue that considering Spanish tourists as well, the Balearic Islands could welcome a total of 20 million visitors this year.

As the popular destinations in Spain have evolved over the years, the discussion about whether the numerous tourists bring more challenges than advantages has grown more heated.

This year, it seems like there has been a shift in the air. The rage bubbling up among numerous residents has escalated to a fresh peak, as vividly illustrated in a recent incident in Barcelona where tourists were soaked with water guns.

Protests have also taken place in other parts of the country, such as Malaga on the mainland and in the Canary Islands. The popular tourist destinations in Spain are now seeking ways to deter a seemingly unstoppable flood.

In the summer of 2024, certain British newspapers put together compilations of "unwelcoming vacation destinations" that should be steered clear of.

In the bustling shores of Magaluf, a popular spot for countless British vacationers, the Green family from Rotherham is joyfully wading in the water.

Dad Adam is embarking on his inaugural journey overseas, although labeling it a "vacation" might be a bit of a stretch since he and his wife are closely monitoring their seven children.

"It's a whirlwind, but we're making progress." "It's fantastic, except for the scorching heat," he comments.

I inquire if they are aware of the different demonstrations happening and if this has given them pause when considering visiting Majorca.

Charlotte mentioned that she caught a glimpse of the news, but she made a conscious effort to avoid watching it in order to prevent feeling overwhelmed and ruining her excitement for the trip that was already planned and paid for.

What do you think about the main point of view of the protesters in the area, who argue that the growing tourism is causing a significant adverse effect?

"Could it be that tourists are the ones who enhance this place and generate income?" inquired Adam.

Individuals journey across the globe, and that's the extent of it. If tourists were not present, there would be no employment opportunities, no salaries, nothing at all. Do they not depend on it?

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