Residents of Spanish island of Mallorca launch initiative to thank tourists amid protests over mass tourism

By Merve Berker

A group of residents of the Spanish island of Mallorca launched a platform Monday to express their gratitude to tourists amid growing protests against mass tourism, according to media reports.

The initiative comes as thousands took to the streets of the city of Palma de Mallorca on Sunday to demand changes to the island’s touristic model, which they argue is causing significant harm.

Approximately 20,000 protesters marched through Palma waving brightly-colored flags and banners with slogans like “Let’s change course and set limits on tourism” and “Your luxury, our misery.”

They called for measures to address the strain on public services, natural resources and local housing caused by the influx of visitors.

The demonstration, organized by around 80 social groups, is part of a broader movement against over-tourism in the Balearic Islands.

Amid these protests, a group of residents, mainly from Palma, formed the platform WeLoveTourismMallorca.com to thank tourists for choosing Mallorca as their destination.

The platform’s members, who wish to remain anonymous for now, emphasized the island’s reliance on tourism and called for a balanced approach to the issue.

“Closing our island to tourists is not the solution,” their website says.

On the day of the protest, the platform’s members placed “We love you” stickers on demonstrators’ posters and handed out cards with messages of appreciation to tourists in central areas of the city.

They aimed to counteract the growing hostility towards tourists and promote a message of support and affection.

“Mallorcans have relied on tourism for a long time,” the group highlighted.

The initiative acknowledges the challenges posed by over-tourism but argues that tourists should not be solely blamed.

“The situation is complex with many variables, so we cannot demonize tourism alone, as it is the main engine of our island’s economy,” the platform’s statement says.

They advocate for community input to find solutions, inviting society to share opinions and suggestions through their website to be presented at negotiations organized by the Balearic government.

Meanwhile, experts like architect and urban planning specialist Jose Maria Ezquiaga and tourism and business expert Manuel de la Calle have proposed various measures to address the issue.

Ezquiaga suggested that tourist rental flats should require approval from local residents’ associations, while de la Calle recommended imposing a tourist tax to generate resources for tourism management and local support.

In 2023, the Balearic Islands saw a record 17.8 million visitors, a number expected to rise this year.

The mass protests in Palma, Menorca and Ibiza highlight the urgency of addressing the impacts of over-tourism.

As the debate continues, initiatives like WeLoveTourismMallorca.com aim to foster a more nuanced discussion, seeking a future where tourism benefits both visitors and residents of the island.