Britons could be hit with new restrictions in Spain as Palma proposes crackdown on tourists
GB News
The groups told holidaymakers to "stay home"
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Campaign groups in Majorca have urged tourists to stay away from the island this summer, claiming mass tourism is destroying their way of life.
Seven organisations representing local residents published an open letter on social media to holidaymakers.
The strongly worded message tells potential visitors that they are "the source of our problem" and should "stay home".
One of the groups involved was behind a major anti-tourism demonstration in Palma last July, which saw approximately 10,000 people take to the streets of the Majorca capital.
The end of the letter told tourists to 'stay home'
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The letter said: "Majorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourself in our place.
"It is time to take a stand. Our leaders do not listen to us, so we the residents, ask you: Do not come.
"We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. Locals say: Enough, stay home."
Last year, Majorca's airport in Palma handled 33 million arrivals, representing a seven per cent increase from 2023. The letter warns that a further six per cent increase is expected this year.
The campaign groups expressed outrage at the "well-known problems" the residents have to deal with.
They said they suffer from: "Environmental and ecosystem deterioration, infrastructure issues, overwhelmed public services, transportation problems, loss of quality of life, gentrification, disproportionate increases in the cost of living, and a total lack of access to housing the local population.
"This has happened before in Majorca, and civil society has taken to the streets. We have mobilised to demand that our politicians regulate this situation and prevent a major disaster."
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Campaign groups are urging holidaymakers to stay at home
PARecently in Ibiza, the famous Es Vedra viewpoint has been barricaded with boulders by frustrated landowners tired of tourist crowds.
Meanwhile, in Tenerife, masked vandals reportedly torched around 20 rental vehicles at the Costa Adeje resort.
The escalating protests come ahead of a planned international summit where activist groups will discuss coordinating their campaign against mass tourism.
Angry demonstrators targeted visitors last year, blaming them for soaring rents and a cost of living crisis, with campaigners threatening to escalate protests by blocking airports.