Spain could see an increase in anti-tourism protests this summer, with the pressure group Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) planning a major demonstration expected to draw a large crowd.
Recent incidents in the Canary Islands have seen anti-tourist graffiti appearing on various sites, including a disturbing ‘kill a tourist’ slogan in Tenerife. Additionally, in Majorca, five international estate agent offices were vandalized with graffiti containing derogatory messages towards tourists.
Menys Turisme Més Vida has announced a protest in Palma, Majorca, scheduled for July 26, coinciding with the start of the peak school holiday season. Similar protests with an anti-tourism stance are planned in Menorca on June 13.
The group expressed frustration over unaddressed issues such as housing access problems, tourist overload, environmental damage, and pressure on public resources. They aim to highlight the social discontent towards a tourism-centered economic model.
The protest has garnered support from 53 social, environmental, and cultural groups in Majorca, a region that welcomes nearly 13 million tourists annually, with British tourists forming a significant portion.
While the protests have not significantly impacted visitor numbers, there have been signs of a slight slowdown in tourism in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Despite this, the islands still attract millions of foreign tourists annually.
Recent data showed a decline in tourist spending in the Balearics over Easter, indicating a shift in spending patterns among visitors. This trend suggests that tourists may be choosing alternative destinations for their holidays.
