Jet2 boss breaks silence on Majorca overtourism protests

The boss of airline Jet2 has addressed growing anger in Majorca about levels of tourism, amid protests on the popular holiday isle. Locals have been becoming increasingly unhappy over mass tourism on the Spanish island, with a number of protests stating holidaymakers are not welcome.

There have been concerns tourism has been pushing up house prices in Majorca. Despite the protests, Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said they have had no impact on bookings and the destination would be as popular as ever with Brits in 2025.

A record 12 million tourists from abroad and within Spain visited Majorca in 2023. Earlier this year, around 10,000 Majorcans took to the streets to protest against the current levels of tourism.

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Mr Heapy said his business had no impact on local house prices. He explained to the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "The unlicensed tourism market means that house prices in some destinations have increased, as increasing amounts of private properties have been purchased for buy to holiday let purposes.

"Jet2 holidays works with licenced accommodation providers in holiday resorts meaning that we do not negatively impact house prices. It also means that we continue to make a positive contribution to local economies. We have urged local governments to stamp down on the unlicensed tourism market and we continue to call for this.

"We work incredibly closely with a wide range of partners in our overseas destinations such as Majorca, including government officials, hoteliers, and tourist boards, and we continue to enjoy excellent relationships with these partners, who welcome the contribution that we and our customers make when they enjoy our licensed holidays in their destinations.

"There has been no impact on our bookings and Majorca continues to enjoy the same popularity as always." Pere Joan Femenia, of campaign group Less Tourism, More Life said recently: "Mass tourism is making it difficult for local people who cannot afford to live on their own island because tourist flats push up prices.

"Tourists fill up beaches and put a strain on public services in the summer. We want to cut mass tourism and to ban non-residents from buying houses which are just used for a few months a year or for speculation."