Thousands protest mass tourism on Mallorca, citing housing crisis and environmental strain

Mallorca is at its limit, according to thousands of residents who took to the streets to protest against mass tourism. Under the slogan "Less Tourism, More Life," the initiative "Menys Turisme, Més Vida" organized the demonstration, calling for a cap on the number of visitors to the popular Spanish island.

The protest march began at the Plaza de España in Palma, the island's capital, and proceeded through the city center towards the cathedral. Participants carried handmade signs with messages like "Mallorca overbooked" and "No more capacity." Organizers had anticipated a turnout of up to 40,000 people, though police figures placed the number closer to 25,000.

Protesters voiced concerns that the increasing influx of tourists and the proliferation of holiday rentals are directly contributing to a severe housing crisis. Many residents with normal incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to afford accommodation on the island. Beyond housing, neighborhood associations and environmental groups also attribute problems such as pollution, traffic congestion, and noise to the detrimental effects of mass tourism on the island's natural environment.

With regional elections in the Balearic Islands scheduled for next year, organizers emphasized that the protest aimed to make their voices heard. The timing was deliberately chosen to coincide with the peak travel season in late July and early August, when the island experiences its highest volume of tourists, particularly from Germany and Great Britain.

German-Mallorcan singer Maria Hein was scheduled to perform the Mallorca anthem "La Balanguera" during the rally. Initial reports from Palma indicated no significant incidents or confrontations, unlike some previous protests seen in other Spanish cities.