Activist groups across Spain and southern Europe are preparing for what has been described as “an unprecedented mobilisation” on June 15. The action is expected to impact hotspots such as Majorca and Ibiza in the Balearics, as well as the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Tenerife and Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao and Valencia on the mainland.
Now, the Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) platform says 60 entities have so far expressed their intention to take part in the demonstration in Majorca, according to local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin. The slogan for the protest will be “For the right to a decent life; Stop touristification”. Balma Albalat and Jaume Pujol, spokespeople for the platform, have said other groups are expected to join the call for the rally.
The platform is the coordinator in Majorca for protests under the umbrella of the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification.
Protests are also expected to occur beyond Spain’s borders, reaching Lisbon in Portugal and Naples and Venice in Italy.
To publicise the protest, a manifesto was read out in Palma’s Parc de la Mar on Saturday. This stated: “Our territory is not for sale. It is urgent to put limits on the growth of tourism, to demand a change of direction and to point the way to degrowth as a solution to the overexploitation of our resources and the exclusion of residents.”
Protester Elena Boschi said she wanted to scare visitors in order to bring change. She explained: “We want tourists to have some level of fear about the situation; without fear, there is no change”.
British tourists have been quick to rethink their summer plans in light of the demonstrations, with many saying they will avoid Spain and its islands.
“Spent a fortune in Tenerife over the years. Not anymore,” one said.
A more sympathetic Brit penned: ” I agree with them to a certain extent. It’s the people who buy up residential houses like they do here and in Cornwall and Wales so locals have nowhere to live. Holiday makers who stay in hotels are providing a living for locals and they know that.”
