British travel organisations are keeping a close eye on the anti-overtourism sentiment in Majorca.
Ben Lynam, the head of communication at the charity Travel Foundation, which works with tourism companies, urged people to take the protests seriously as the overtourism lamented by locals is affecting the whole tourism industry.
He told Travel Weekly: “Majorca is at the sharp end of an issue that affects all our industry.
“Destinations have limits and tourism is only welcome when it respects these and the communities. Businesses will increasingly need to accept limits as not just necessary but desirable.”
ABTA, the trade association for tour operators and travel agents in the UK, stressed the protests sweeping through the Balearic Islands aren’t targeting tourists.
A spokesperson told the travel magazine: “The protests were not against tourism to the islands or targeted at tourists. Protestors were raising concerns about how tourism is managed.”
One of the Balearic Islands, Majorca attracts millions of foreign visitors every year – with hundreds of thousands flying from the UK.
The ever-growing popularity of the island has created increasingly unbearable issues for locals, including overcrowding, higher cost of living and unaffordable housing.
In late May, around 10,000 residents in Palma brought their frustration to the streets and attended an anti-overtourism march.
On June 1, a smaller group of protesters gathered on Sa Ràpita Beach to “occupy” the shore and take it over from tourists. A similar demonstration on a bigger scale is being planned for June 16.
Javier Barbero, one organiser of the large demonstration in Palma, previously said more massive demonstrations would take place if “measures aren’t taken” by authorities.
These protests appear to be having an impact on tourists as, according to a survey carried out by local news outlet Majorca Daily Bulletin, roughly 44 percent of people will now think twice before holidaying in Majorca.
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