Fury in Majorca as hotels accuse protesters of throwing water over tourists
Some 20,000 people took to the streets of Palma on Sunday in a protest against mass tourism on the island.
Hoteliers in Majorca have reacted with fury after protesters targeted tourists and daubed graffiti on buildings.
Some 20,000 people took to the streets of Palma on Sunday in a protest against overtourism.
The demonstration was called by 80 organisations and social groups who want limits to be placed on excessive tourism in the Balearic Islands.
Activists say the current tourism model has stretched public services to breaking point, harms natural resources, and makes local access to housing increasingly difficult.
Antoni Costa, vice-president of the Balearic government, praised protesters for their good behaviour, claiming there had been no incidents to speak of.
However, Majorca's hotel association, FEHM, said tourists had been "insulted" by protesters and that one group of visitors even had water thrown over them while sitting outside a bar.
They also claimed protesters had painted graffiti on hotels and other buildings during the march.
María José Aguiló, president of the FEHM, said: "Things must be done with the utmost respect, with order and discipline.
"We respect civic demonstrations, we condemn vandalism and illegal activities of any kind."
Later she told the publication Diario de Mallorca that many of the issues raised by protesters had been under discussion for years.
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"Nothing different is happening here in 2024 than what happened in 2019," she said.
"We have the same problems: a demographic increase, in the floating and resident population, and an exponential increase in vacation rentals that is occurring in multi-family homes, which is a source of problems because it is a barrier to access to housing for the residents of the islands."
She warned the protests could end up deterring tourists from visiting the islands, which would have a negative effect on the region's economy.
The Balearic government, meantime, has pledged to take "brave measures" against mass tourism in a matter of months.
"We understand the social concern because the growth that has occurred in volume is very important," said Antoni Costa.
Manuel de la Calle, an expert in the field of tourism and business, said imposing a tourist tax could be part of the solution.
“It is one of the possible solutions that could be put in place.
"It will not reduce the flow of tourism, but it will generate resources that can be driven into tourism management or other avenues to help the local population," he told TVE.
