A Spanish holiday favourite among UK tourists, Magaluf, was reportedly ‘half empty’ this Bank Holiday Monday, sparking worries among local bar and restaurant owners. Typically, by the start of June, Majorca’s bustling resort is filled with holidaymakers.
However, images captured on May 27 showed vacant sunbeds on the town’s beaches and rows of empty tables outside bars. This follows a recent demonstration where protesters marched through Majorca’s capital, Palma, calling for the government to take ‘immediate measures’ to tackle the island’s housing crisis and tourist overcrowding.
The local newspaper, Majorca Daily Bulletin, expressed concerns that Magaluf appeared “unusually quiet” on Monday, describing it as “half empty if that”. It highlighted a growing anxiety among business owners about the lack of tourists, while some argued that the resort remained busy over the weekends.
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One bar owner suggested that the anti-tourism protesters’ “wishes had been granted”, with the peak holiday season in June just around the corner. After thousands gathered in Palma on Saturday, protest organisers warned they would continue their demonstrations until the Balearic government takes action.
Javier Barbero, one of the protest leaders, spoke to the media, stating: “This has only just begun. If the reality is denied and still no measures are taken, we will take to the streets until they act.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He made it clear that their position was not against tourism, but emphasised: “We have to rethink the tourism model.”
(Image: Getty)
The protestors are calling on the local authorities to put a cap on the skyrocketing rental prices, a step which Balearic president Marga Prohens has openly rejected. They are also advocating for a rule that would require individuals to live in Majorca for at least five years before being eligible to buy property there.
Tourism contributes to 45 per cent of the island’s income, as noted by Exceltur. The ongoing demonstrations have led some British holidaymakers to think about boycotting the popular destination, with one regular visitor stating online: “They should be careful what they wish for.”
Another tourist commented: “Stop going to Spain for 12 months and they will be begging us to come back.”
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