In an open letter urging visitors to “stay home,” the seven protest groups warned holiday makers who are thinking of heading to Mallorca, saying “You are the source of our problems.” An angry message signed by the group concludes with a capital letter warning, “All right! Stay home!”
In 2024, 18.7 million tourists visited the Balearic Islands, up 5% in the previous record in 2023, with Magical gaining lion shares from four major islands. To tourists, the message states: “It's time to take a step forward. Our leaders aren't listening to us. It's time to ask you not to come. In fact, you are the cause of our problems. At this point, we don't ask for your understanding, and we, the people of Marolca, are saying enough.
Despite the Balearic government implementing a sustainability agreement to manage tourism, the letter complained that certain measures will not be implemented until next year.
The agreement aims to reduce the island's reliance on traditional tourism markets such as the UK and Germany, instead focusing on improving infrastructure, environmental sustainability and local quality of life.
The letter argued that “greed and greed of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, all sorts of “parasites”” led to worsening ecosystems, infrastructure issues, overcrowded public services, gentlemanship and poor quality of life.
“The locals are angry, the land we love is destroyed and many residents have to relocate, so we are no longer kind. Mallorca is not a paradise selling you.”
The group also targeted the Balearic government, which claimed that it “denies reality and continues to promote tourism,” rather than “take measures to reverse this tragedy.”
Environmentalist Gob, Menis Tuhrism Mes Vida (Less Tourism Life) Movement, and residents of SOS are one of seven groups who signed the letter.
