It’s the middle of the afternoon in Palma de Mallorca, and the thermometer exceeds 30°C (86°F), despite it not being officially summer yet.
Pere Joan, an Art History graduate student and Fridays for Future activist, orders an almond granita, one of the nuts grown on the Spanish island in the Mediterranean.
Just days ago, Joan participated in a bold action organized by the platform Mallorca Platja Tour, aimed at reclaiming Caló des Moro, a renowned beach in southeast Mallorca.
This cove, known for its stunning turquoise waters, is typically crowded with tourists during the summer months. However, on June 16, it saw a different kind of visitor.
Around 250 to 300 locals gathered to occupy this paradisiacal beach, sending a clear message about the impact of mass tourism on their community.
“For one day, finally, we residents of Mallorca were able to enjoy that beach,” Joan remarked.
As part of their demonstration, the activists engaged with tourists, explaining the reasons behind their actions. Surprisingly, “most of them understood and decided to go to a nearby beach,” Joan noted.
Despite this temporary victory, the usual tourist activity resumed swiftly. “As we left, it started to fill up again.
Some of us stayed and had fun watching influencers and other people taking pictures in very strange positions.
Since we no longer go to these places, scenes like this are very surprising for us,” Joan shared with a mix of amusement and resignation.
This protest is part of a broader movement across Mallorca and other popular tourist destinations.
Locals, increasingly fed up with the disruptions caused by the tourism industry, have been vocal about their frustrations.
Throughout the summer, such protests are expected to continue, as residents push back against a tourism model that they feel prioritizes profits over the well-being of local communities.
The sentiment in Mallorca mirrors a growing discontent seen in other tourism hotspots around the world.
As the global travel industry bounces back post-pandemic, many residents in popular destinations are advocating for more sustainable and community-focused tourism practices.
In Mallorca, the issue is particularly acute. The island’s economy heavily relies on tourism, but the influx of visitors has strained resources, inflated property prices, and disrupted the daily lives of locals.
Pere Joan and his fellow activists are part of a larger effort to bring about change.
Fridays for Future, the youth-led climate movement inspired by Greta Thunberg, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of mass tourism.
Joan’s participation in the Caló des Moro protest is just one example of how local movements are intertwining with global campaigns for sustainability.
The Mallorca Platja Tour platform, which organized the beach occupation, aims to highlight the need for a more balanced approach to tourism.
They advocate for measures that protect natural resources, preserve local culture, and ensure that tourism benefits the local community without overwhelming it.
Their actions, such as the recent beach protest, are designed to draw attention to these issues and push for policy changes at both local and national levels.
However, changing the tourism model is a complex challenge. Mallorca’s economy is deeply intertwined with the tourism industry, and any shift towards a more sustainable model requires careful planning and collaboration between government officials, business owners, and community groups.
There are also economic considerations, as tourism provides jobs and income for many residents. Balancing these economic benefits with the need to protect the island’s environment and quality of life is a delicate task.
Despite these challenges, the momentum for change is building.
The protests and actions by groups like Mallorca Platja Tour are raising awareness and sparking important conversations about the future of tourism on the island.
They are also inspiring similar movements in other destinations facing the pressures of mass tourism.
As summer progresses, the residents of Mallorca are likely to continue their campaign to reclaim their island from the clutches of mass tourism.
Their efforts reflect a broader desire for a more sustainable and equitable approach to travel, one that respects the needs and rights of local communities while still welcoming visitors from around the world.
In the meantime, Pere Joan and his fellow activists will keep pushing for change, one beach occupation at a time.
Their message is clear: Mallorca is not just a tourist destination; it is a home, and its residents deserve to enjoy its beauty and resources without being overshadowed by the relentless tide of mass tourism.
