One More Tourist, One Less Resident: Spain's Anti-Tourism Revolt Continues

In Mallorca, the wave of protest against mass tourism continues. Over the weekend, thousands took to the streets of the town of Sóller to protest the impact of visitors on residents' lives. Police reported about 1,000 participants, while organizers claimed around 2,500. Protesters stressed they are not against tourists, but against the economic model that makes tourism the almost exclusive engine of the local economy.

In Mallorca, the wave of protest against mass tourism continues. Over the weekend, thousands took to the streets of the town of Sóller in the northwest of the island, protesting the growing impact of visitors on residents' lives. Spanish police reported about 1,000 participants, while organizers claimed the number reached around 2,500. The demonstration took place on Saturday, August 8, about two weeks after a similar protest in the capital Palma de Mallorca, which drew tens of thousands. The protesters read a manifesto claiming that mass tourism directly affects daily life: students are late for school due to congested roads, workers struggle to find affordable housing due to rising rents, and small local businesses disappear in favor of tourist-oriented enterprises. They also expressed concern about increased boat traffic harming marine ecosystems. Despite the sharp message, organizers stressed that the protest is not against tourists but against the economic model that makes tourism the almost exclusive engine of the local economy. Sofía, a representative of the youth movement, said the model makes residents feel "like strangers in their own homes." The protest comes amid a tourism record: in 2025, Spain received 96.8 million international tourists, a 3.2% increase from 2024. Authorities in the Balearic Islands are already taking steps, including a possible ban on tourist rentals in Palma and dedicating areas to residents only in Sóller.