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Mass protest on Spanish island of Mallorca calls for ‘restrictions on tourism’

Mass protest on Spanish island of Mallorca calls for 'restrictions on tourism'

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday to protest against mass tourism on the island of Mallorca, as backlash against holidaymakers in Spain continues.

The demonstration, which called for a limit on the number of tourists, was attended by protesters holding signs reading: “Tourists, we love you if you don’t buy our land” and “Your paradise is our nightmare”. They marched through the city of Palma de Mallorca, located on the southern coast of the island.

A young person holds a sign that reads: "Cruises stop" during the demonstration on Sunday, July 21. - Jaime Reina/AFP/Getty ImagesA young person holds a sign that reads: "Cruises stop" during the demonstration on Sunday, July 21. - Jaime Reina/AFP/Getty Images

A youth holds a sign reading “Stop Cruises” during the demonstration on Sunday, July 21. – Jaime Reina/AFP/Getty Images

According to organizers Menys Turisme en Mas Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), some 50,000 people took part in the protest on Sunday. The protest began around 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET), but police put the number at around 12,000, RTVE reported.

Organizers argue that the island’s tourism model “impoverishes workers and enriches only a few.”

They demanded an ‘alternative tourism model’, along with ‘access to decent housing’, the ‘improvement of public services’ and the ‘protection and regeneration of natural areas’.

Tourism backlash

Tourists sunbathe on El Arenal beach in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. - Juan Medina/ReutersTourists sunbathe on El Arenal beach in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. - Juan Medina/Reuters

Tourists sunbathe on El Arenal beach in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. – Juan Medina/Reuters

According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, around 110 groups and social movements took part in the demonstration.

The event came amid growing tensions over the impact of tourism on local areas in Spain.

According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, the Balearic Islands, which consist of Mallorca, the largest island, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, attracted 14.4 million foreign visitors last year.

Earlier this month, anti-tourism protesters in Barcelona sprayed visitors with water and marched through the city, chanting, “Tourists, go home.”

The Balearic Islands introduced new rules in May banning drinking on the streets in the main tourist areas on the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, with an exception for terraces and other places where alcohol is allowed.

In April, residents of the Spanish Canary Islands called for a hunger strike. They were protesting against excessive tourism, which the demonstrators say is driving local people out of business and also causing environmental damage.

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