UK tourists vow to 'leave' Majorca after 300 locals 'storm' beaches

James Rodger

16 June 2024 at 7:31 am·2-min read

Majorca locals have stormed beaches and "occupied" them amid growing resentment over UK tourists. Holidaymakers from Britain have been warned after the Balearic Islands faced fresh tension on Sunday (June 16) with Majorca locals taking action over what they perceive to be "overtourism".

Around 300 people occupied Caló des Moro in Santanyi on Sunday in protest at beach overcrowding in the island, according to Majorca Daily Bulletin, an island newspaper. The occupation was organised by the Mallorca Platja Tour social media group.

The rally started at 8am and iitially there were just 20 people. "Others gradually arrived and swelled the numbers," the newspaper reported. The organisers said: "We want to spend a day at the beach with people from here.

"To do so we had to come at eight in the morning, otherwise it would have been impossible." They promised a fun and festive day, to enjoy a swim while also protesting against the overcrowding that makes it difficult for residents to access beaches. The action was scheduled to end at 1pm.

Replying to the occupation on social media, a Brit said: "Why ohh why do people want to go to places they are not wanted ? They wanted you years ago when they were little villagers but they have grown in size and they don’t want you anymore , leave them to themselves and why they have no more revenue coming in they’ll be crying for you to go back , don’t go let them eat cake go to place that make you welcome?"

"Reduce the number of Hotels seems to be the obvious route -if this is a problem ? If the Majorcans are not careful , nobody will come back next year and they will have to power their economy from the Majorcan car industry," a second wrote on Facebook.

"These issues seen increasingly, especially in small islands, are indicative of one major fact, Too many people. islands have the wrong mix of holiday accommodation/affordable accommodation for workers to wait on those holidaying... all down to greed somewhere in the chain," another said.

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