‘We’ve gone too far, we have to turn back’ vows Majorca in new tourist crackdown planned for ‘overcrowded’ hols hotspot
MAJORCA has vowed tourism has gone “too far” and is planning to launch a fresh crackdown on the “overcrowding” of the island.
A wave of anti-tourist demonstrations swept popular Spanish holiday hotspots last month with furious locals protesting against ‘low-quality’ tourists.
Bitter graffiti even appeared on Spanish streets urging tourists to “go home” and reading “your paradise, our misery”.
Despite the angry protests, and discussions over a new “daily tourist tax” to try to lower the number of holidaymakers, Brits continue to flock to the sunny hotspots.
The Canary Islands that called for a cap on the number of visitors, are followed by Majorca which is now determined to find ways to curb mass tourism, Ultima Hora reports.
Member of Palma XXI association Jaume Garau said: “There is a general feeling that we’ve gone too far and have to turn back.”
Speaking during a presentation for an upcoming congress on tourism to be held by the Civil Society Forum, Garau stressed the issues the Balearic islands are facing due to the high number of tourists.
He explained that the purpose of the congress is to prepare a proposal, alongside locals and civil associations, to establish a sustainable tourism model.
He warned: “There will come a time when people here won’t be able to go anywhere.”
The initial document proposes measures to lower the number of visitors such as the reduction of the rental car fleet, following the example of Formentera, or the implementation of a tourist tax.
Other key issues the forum has addressed was the reduction of tourist accommodation places, the conservation of protected natural spaces and the water cycle.
Another forum member, Margalida Ramis said: “Tourism must decrease and reconvert.”
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.
While David Abril, stressed that “tourism is more than an economic activity” and it “cannot be separated from issues such as immigration or housing”.
He concluded by saying that the current saturation problems in other leading destinations on the planet, “are a final wake-up call in what is becoming a global trend.”
The Congress is expected to be held on June 26.
Majorca’s plan comes after thousands took to the streets in Tenerife last month to demand restrictions on holidaymakers.
More than 15,000 people waved Canary Islands’ flags and blew horns to make a deafening noise in the capital Santa Cruz.
Residents said they are “fed-up” with “low quality” Brits who only come for the cheap beer, burgers and sunbathing.
Messages in English left on walls and benches in and around the resort read “My misery your paradise” and “Average salary in Canary Islands is 1,200 euros.”
But the Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo expressed his concern over the growing anti-tourism movement and begged holidaymakers to keep coming.