Majorcans urged to 'occupy' beaches this weekend as overtourism protests continue
Ilaria Grasso MacolaMajorcans are being encouraged to "occupy" the island’s beaches this weekend as action to protest a perceived tide of overtourism continue.
Protest group Mallorca Platja Tour has called on locals to populate Sa Rapita beach – situated in the south of the island – on Saturday (1 June).
“This Saturday, 1 June, we will swim at Platja de Sa Rapita at 10am,” the group posted on X on Thursday (30 June), adding: “We don’t give up.”
According to reports in local media, the movement – which centres around the #OcupemLesNostresPlatges [Let’s occupy our beaches] hashtag on social media – comes in response to comments made by MP Manuela Canadas, a member of Spain’s right-wing Vox party.
Earlier this week, Canadas told Majorcans they “can’t expect to go to the beach in July and August like in the past” as beaches are usually crowded by tourists during the summer months.
Plans to occupy the island’s beaches is the latest in a series of threats made by fed-up locals, which include halting operations at Palma’s Son Sant Joan airport – Spain’s third busiest.
Anti-tourism group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) said the proposal was a reaction to the negative impact of overtourism, including higher living costs and congestion.
The Balearic government has said it will take “all the necessary measures” to avoid disruption at the airport and to thwart protests it considers to threaten relations between locals and tourists.
“We respect all opinions,” a government spokesperson told TTG on Wednesday (29 May). “But we do not support protests that are not carried out in a legal way.
“The Balearic government will implement all the necessary measures to avoid issues that could alter the coexistence between residents and tourists or that could affect the correct development of the airport’s day-to-day operations.”
The beach protests also follow reports of eight Brits having been arrested following a brawl on a Majorcan beach, during which they are alleged to have attacked a waiter and two police officers.
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