The discontent with the mass tourism model is not a phenomenon exclusive to Canary Islands nor to the historic mobilization that brought thousands of locals to the streets of Lanzarote under the slogan ‘Canary Islands have a limit’.
The saturation of public services, the exorbitant increase in the cost of housing, and the feeling of loss of island identity are identical problems that are sparking outrage in other archipelagos. The Balearic Islands are experiencing a scenario very similar to the island of volcanoes.
Tens of thousands of people, 25,000 according to the National Police and 70,000 according to the organizers, demonstrated this Sunday in Palma to demand an "unavoidable" degrowth in the number of visitors from local, regional, and state institutions on an island of Mallorca where "there is no more room for tourists".
This was expressed by members of the ‘Menys turisme, més vida’ platform during the reading of the manifesto for the demonstration, supported by 145 entities from the island, in which they demanded that political leaders take note of their demands in the last summer before the 2027 electoral cycle.
"Turistification invaded our coasts, then our towns and cities, and is currently occupying our homes. In an unprecedented housing crisis, more than 105,000 homes in Mallorca are used for tourist purposes, legally or illegally," the organizers stressed.
The march began shortly after 7:00 PM from Plaza España in Palma. The promoters of the protest have stated that they will only accept "tourist degrowth as a solution," since in Mallorca "there is no more room for cars, no more room for hotels, no more room for tourist rentals, no more room for coffee, fast food, or cheesecake franchises, and no more room for tourists."
Criticism of the Balearic Executive's "containment"
The platform also criticized the PP government for boasting about "tourist containment" policies and "social dialogue," as Sunday's demonstration shows a social discontent that does not align with these claims.
"We demand that they stop ignoring social demands and set clear limits that prioritize the needs of the citizens," the organizers stated.
Furthermore, they have assured that "tourist degrowth is already an unavoidable condition" to guarantee "dignified public services and adjusted to the needs of the population, the survival of their own language and culture, housing to live in and not to speculate, fewer evictions, less racism and better working conditions".
During the day, they also referred to the two activists arrested in Santa Maria del Camí accused of vandalizing five real estate agencies with anti-speculation messages, an action that demonstrates that "the security forces and bodies have begun a repressive wave to stop the movement against touristification".
Clamor in the streets and symbolism against saturation
Chants such as "Marga Prohens, listen to the people", "Wherever you look, it's all tourists", "Tourist go home", "Mallorca is defended, not sold" or "No more cruise ships in our islands" were heard at the demonstration, which included people of all generations.
Mallorca flags and signs against touristification were also common in the march, with messages such as "For Sale, Balearic Islands", "I'm not doing great in the summer", "Full capacity", "We are not your Monopoly" or "I miss Mallorca".
There were also those who carried a papier-mâché cruise ship a little over a meter and a half long, while a 'batukada' enlivened the crowd with music while its members wore the traditional Mallorcan 'rebosillo', the traditional female headdress, and their faces painted like skulls.
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