RAGHING anti-tourist zealots have warned Brit tourists not to come to Spain as they prepare to launch protests against mass tourism.
Protestors have threatened to take over the streets and warned travellers heading to the sunny holiday hotspots to stay at home instead.
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Several leading groups of protestors have now come together and issued a letter to the people visiting Majorca and other popular tourist spots in Spain.
In the letter, they explained how tourists including Brits are the source of their “serious” problems like “quality of life” and environmental degradation.
The letter read: “ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.
“DO NOT COME.”
Spain’s anti-tourism movement
Local residents across the board feel pushed out by mass tourism – and are concerned about the preservation of their beaches or beauty spots.
Reasons for the protests include issues of overcrowding, housing, protecting the environment, congestion and resource allocation.
Explaining the issues that face the residents of Mallorca, the letter reads: “Environmental and ecosystem deterioration, infrastructure issues, overwhelmed public services, transportation problems, loss of quality of life, gentrification, disproportionate increases in the cost of living, and a total lack of access to housing for the local population.
It claimed that the “greed and avarice” of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and “parasites’ of all kinds” have led to such a poor situation.
It added: “The local population is angry, and we are no longer hospitable because the land we love is being destroyed, and many residents are having to emigrate.
“Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you.”
But the tourism industry, which rakes in billions across the globe every year, is responsible for keeping many of the Spanish towns and villages afloat.
With the summer holiday season fast approaching, anti-tourism protestors are expected to take over the streets across Spain – as they did last year.
Spanish party isle Ibiza saw the first signs of action last month when access to a popular viewing point was blocked with boulders.
Thousands flock to gaze at rocky Es Vedra at sunset but the site’s owners say they are sick of being invaded.
Shocking video footage posted online appeared to show vandals pouring flammable liquid on the ground, and then setting fire to around 20 rental vehicles in the southern Tenerife resort of Costa Adeje.
They put up a sign which reads: “Private Property. Restricted Access.”
A wave of anti-tourism protests erupted across multiple Spanish holiday hotspots as locals called for an end to “low quality” tourism.
Residents complain of shameful acts by tourists such as the display of nudity and frequent violent brawls after getting drunk.
Locals say they cannot afford to buy a home and blame the government for allowing holiday rentals and accommodation construction to drive up housing costs.
Last year, demonstrators flocked to Majorcan beaches to display locals’ discontent with holidaymakers and mass tourism.
They were seen huddled together at the coastal resort of Colonia De Sant Jordi, east of the island’s capital, Palma.
In a different protest, Majorca’s angry anti-tourist locals put up fake beach closure signs in a new bid to hold back holidaymakers.
The fed-up residents put up red tape and signs at several coves saying “Beach Closed”.
A wave of protests
During protests, hateful graffiti urging locals to “kill a tourist” emerged on a wall in Majorca.
Politicians in the Spanish holiday island condemned the bitter act by anti-tourist vandals, calling the behaviour “totally unjustified”.
Hostile messages against foreigners and tourists written on public walls have been on the rise – sparking fears that anti-tourist movements could become more hateful.
Thousands of locals have so far taken part in various anti-tourism protests across the holiday hotspots.
Just a few days ago, anti-tourist fanatics in Majorca mocked Brit holidaymakers over the Euros’ defeat during the hate-filled protest.
They carried placards showing Man City and England defender Kyle Walker and the words: “The only thing coming home is you.”
More than 10,000 protesters packing into the capital Palma complained about hard-drinking revellers and soaring rents.
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Banners demanded: “Take back your drunks — give back our homes” and “Your paradise, our nightmare.”
Meanwhile, anti-tourist zealots chillingly warned of a summer of “surprise actions” as they prepared to launch protests in Ibiza.
Protestors said many demonstrations and mass campaigns will be carried out “without warning” – something that could spark chaos in the Spanish holiday hotspot.
The mainland Spanish city of Barcelona has been hit by rallies too, with tourists being sprayed with water pistols.
Spain’s tourism minister condemned protesters who soaked tourists with water pistols during a protest on July 6 in Barcelona city centre.
Now regional officials on the Balearic Islands have made it clear to the mob that there must be no repeat of Barcelona and locals must show tourists “respect”.
Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots
A WAVE of anti-tourist measures are being implemented across Europe to curb mass tourism in popular holiday hotspots.
Overcrowding has become the main problem in many sunny destinations, with authorities trying to find a solution to keep tourists and locals happy.
Officials have attempted to reduce the impact of holidaymakers by implementing additional taxes on tourists, or banning new hotels.
Earlier this year Venice became the first city in the world to charge an entry fee for holidaymakers after it started charging day-trippers €5 (£4.30) if visiting the historical Italian centre.
It was followed by an area in Barcelona which resorted to removing a well-used bus route from Apple and Google Maps to stop crowds of tourists from using the bus.
Meanwhile, San Sebastián in the north of Spain, limited the maximum number of people on guided visits to 25 to avoid congestion, noise, nuisance and overcrowding.
The city has already banned the construction of new hotels.
The Spanish government has allowed restaurants to charge customers more for sitting in the shade in Andalucia.
Benidorm has introduced time restrictions, as swimming in the sea between midnight and 7am could cost a whopping £1,000.
The Canary Islands are also considering adopting measures to regulate the number of visitors – and charge tourists a daily tax.
Greece has already enforced a tourist tax during the high season (from March to October) with visitors expected to pay from €1 (£0.86) to €4 (£3.45) per night, depending on the booked accommodation.
Officials in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia want to introduce a fee for travellers to remind people to be courteous during their trips.
