Overtourism protests are not going down well.
In recent weeks, British tourists have received a lot of flak for their holiday conduct in Spain. Fed-up Spanish locals have organized marches against overtourism, and taken over their own beaches to thwart the hopes of sunbathing tourists. Now after a wave of anti-tourist protests in the Canary and Balearic Islands, vacationers from the U.K. are calling for a boycott of their favorite holiday destination.
Multiple British media outlets have reported that U.K. tourists are threatening to take their pounds elsewhere after tensions with locals in Spain. The Mirror reports that Brits have been writing to the paper announcing their intentions to travel elsewhere. One tourist wrote that they plan to head “somewhere the locals want tourists and the benefits they bring to the local economy. There is no point in going where you are not wanted, there are plenty of other places to visit in Europe and around the world. See how they manage without tourism.”
Feeling unwanted and unwelcome, angry holidaymakers are sharing their frustrations online. From urging travel agents to cancel all holidays to recommending other warm destinations like Turkey, the discussions on Facebook are turning against Spain.
British vacationers are quick to remind Spanish locals that tourism is critical to the economy, and British tourists pump in a lot of euros. But Spanish protesters insist that they are not against tourists–they are challenging mass tourism.
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Overtourism Pains
Spain welcomed 85.1 million international tourists in 2023—that’s almost 2 million more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019—and spent €109 billion. A major market for the country is the U.K.–17.3 million visitors from Britain holidayed in Spain last year.
Tourism contributes to 11% of Spain’s GDP and boosts employment. However, it’s also pushing up the price of housing, as well as overcrowding destinations. Locals have become resentful of tourists. In Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands, anti-tourist protests are becoming more frequent. Brits, who make up the lion’s share of tourists in the country, have taken notice.
Last week, around 300 Mallorca residents occupied a popular Instagram spot on the island, Calo des Moro beach, and chanted for tourists to go home. The island has been witnessing protests for several days with locals reclaiming their popular beaches and hotspots, which are typically overrun with tourists. Thousands also marched in the Canary Islands in April to fight against the tourism model, which they say is damaging the islands and its environments. In March, anti-tourist stickers in Málaga also made news, and Ibiza residents are also taking to the streets to show discontent with a growing housing crisis due to mass tourism.
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Meanwhile, travelers from the U.K. have faced criticism due to drunken brawling. Just last month, eight British tourists were arrested after they attacked the staff at a beach club in Mallorca. In May, two British women were also caught fighting on camera. Spanish towns have imposed dress codes and limited drinks in all-inclusive hotels in recent years to combat the increase in party tourism. Another law has banned shops from selling alcohol between 9:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.
For years, Barcelona has opposed mass tourism. The Spanish city was on Fodor’s No List 2020 but not much has changed—it’s still overflowing despite restrictions on cruises. Locals recently successfully petitioned Google and Apple Maps to remove a bus route that had become so crammed with tourists that many locals couldn’t get home. In April, police used batons on locals protesting at Park Güell, where French brand Louis Vuitton was unveiling their new collection. This summer, travelers can expect more action from locals in these destinations. Protesters want to bring the airport in Mallorca to a standstill. Keep an eye on the news and try to understand the local sentiment before you book your holidays.
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However, Spain has built lots of cheap, all inclusive hotels and fill tourists up with gallons of very cheap spanish alcohol. There are lots of bars and nightclubs. They have deliberately targeted this type of tourist, so rather than get angry with the tourists, they should be looking at their own government and regulation. Fill the place with quiet posh expensive restaurants and restrict the number of hotel licences, and Spain will see its problem disappear overnight.