What’s Going On in Palma?
A group called Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) is planning a protest against too many tourists visiting Palma. They say the island’s current tourism model relies on mass tourism, which creates problems like crowded streets, high housing costs, and strain on local services.
When and Where?
The protest will take place on Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m. on the steps of Palma’s Cathedral. Before the march, the organizers will hold a press conference to explain their plans for the summer.
Why Are They Protesting?
The collective believes there are still plenty of reasons to push for change:
- Too many visitors are overwhelming the city.
- Housing prices keep rising because many homes are turned into short‑term rentals.
- Local residents feel their quality of life is suffering.
Airport Expansion Adds to the Problem
One specific issue they point to is the ongoing work at Palma Airport. Six new boarding gates are being added in Module D for domestic and Schengen flights. According to the group, this will allow more flights and bring even more tourists, rather than reducing the pressure on the island.
Government Response – Seen as Insufficient
The protesters criticize the Balearic Government for not doing enough to limit tourist numbers. They view recent measures—like a proposed vehicle restriction—as temporary fixes that don’t tackle the root cause.
President Prohens had suggested raising the tourist tax during the high‑summer months, but her party faced opposition from Vox, so the increase was dropped. She later said that existing “tourism containment” policies were already working, so a tax hike wasn’t needed.
Looking Back at Last Year’s Protest
In June 2024 a similar demonstration drew attention. Police estimated about 8,000 participants, while organizers claimed the crowd was closer to 30,000. That protest also touched on unrelated topics such as Gaza. Some observers noted a sense of “protest fatigue,” feeling that the government was simply waiting for the demonstrations to fade away.
Has Anything Changed?
Although the protests have attracted media attention, many locals feel they have not yet led to major shifts in tourism policy. A slowdown in visitor numbers has been observed, but analysts attribute it more to broader economic factors and the natural waning of the post‑pandemic “champagne effect” than to the activist actions.
Before COVID‑19, Mallorca and the Balearics welcomed around 16.5 million tourists a year. After the pandemic, the figure rose to 18.75 million, showing how quickly numbers can bounce back.
Conclusion
The upcoming July 26 protest highlights ongoing concerns about overtourism in Palma. While activists call for a rethinking of the island’s tourism model—especially criticizing airport expansions and weak government measures—the impact of past demonstrations remains limited. Whether this summer’s rally will spur real change is yet to be seen, but the debate over balancing tourism with residents’ well‑being continues.
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