Majorcans ‘live off tourism’ argues tourism chief amid protests
Harry KembleA Majorcan tourism chief has warned the media to be mindful of the potentially damaging impact using terms like "overtourism" can have when covering the island’s recent anti-tourism protests, particularly as the island continues to seek to overhaul its tourism model.
Over the past 12 months, Majorca has heavily promoted the benefits of responsible tourism, with more than 15 operators – including Tui, easyJet and Jet2.com – signing its new tourism pledge.
However, a string of anti-tourism protests across Spain this year have prompted media debate about whether British holidaymakers are still welcome in popular destinations such as Majorca.
Susanna Sciacovelli, tourism director at the island’s tourism board, told TTG all tourists are welcome and noted how the island relies on tourism economically. “We live off tourism, but we need to do this in a responsible way," she said at WTM London. "Almost 50% of our GDP depends on tourism.”
She added: “I believe buzzwords such as ‘overtourism’ used by the media are negative for the destination. We need to watch out for that. The ‘overtourism’ word means we have too many tourists, but the situation is more complex than that.”
Sciacovelli highlighted how rising numbers of tourists and local residents have put pressure on services and facilities, which have not been maintained over the years.
“We’ve gained 300,000 residents in the past 20 years,” she explained. “That’s nearly 45 new residents a day and the island’s infrastructure has not adapted. There’s a shortage of housing which has led to the protests.”
Majorca is one of several destinations where problems have arisen from an influx of tourism in recent years, said Sciacovelli. “I don’t think this situation is unique to Majorca. It’s happening in Bali, Rome and Venice too. It started in Catalunya,” she explained.
“I think Majorca has been proactive – we said it was going to happen before it did. Let’s all coexist on this island. Local residents’ interests are the same as ours. They want us to promote the local products and get illegal short-term lets off the market.
“We’re very much aligned. We invited two members of [protest group] Civil Society Forum to join our board – we’re not afraid of the protestors.”
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Harry Kemble
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