Mallorca activists demand tourist bed cuts

Activists in Palma will link Plaza de España to the Consolat de Mar in a human chain on Saturday, demanding cuts to tourist accommodation beds across Mallorca and the Balearic Islands. GOB and Terraferida say fewer licensed beds and action against illegal lets would reduce visitor numbers. They say the Balearic Government holds the tourism powers, while the Consell de Mallorca has mechanisms to curb overcrowding.

Europa Press

GOB president Joan Moranta said people would keep coming to the islands, particularly when they had somewhere to sleep. For that reason, he argued that removing tourist beds was the way to bring numbers down.

The two groups accused the Government and opposition of shifting responsibility between each other, Madrid and Aena. They want the Government to use the tools it already has.

Calls for housing, water and transport action

Terraferida representative Antònia Fuster called for every island to be declared a zona tensionada and for a freeze on new tourist-rental licences. She also wants beds in the tourist accommodation pool to be removed gradually, alongside measures to return housing to local people.

The groups are also seeking a halt to new building licences on rural land and the repeal of rules they say weakened land protection. Their transport plan would put public transport ahead of private cars, cap the number of vehicles on the roads, strengthen the rail network and rule out further road expansion.

Moranta called for protection of aquifers, which GOB says suffer chronic overuse, and for lower demand for water. He said between 10 and 15 percent of food consumed on Mallorca is produced on the island. The organisations also want climate mitigation and adaptation frameworks approved so the Balearic Islands remain habitable in 2050.

Chain carries written demands to Consolat de Mar

The event, called “a la fresca”, starts at 19.00 on Saturday at Plaza de España. Participants are asked to bring a chair, a pen and a green, red or white T-shirt, the colours of the siurells. The chairs are intended to revive the custom of sitting outside in the cool of the evening.

Volunteers will hand out paper for people to write what they think Mallorca should be and the kind of island they want. Once the chain ends, volunteers will take the sheets to the Consolat de Mar. There will be no gathering or manifesto reading outside the institutional building.

The chain will pass Plaza de la Porta Pintada, Sant Miquel Street, Plaza Mayor, Jaume II Street, Plaza de Cort, Palau Reial Street, Conqueridor Street, Avenida de Antoni Maura, Paseo de Sagrera, Consolat Street, Llotja Street and Plaza de la Llotja.

Mallorca activists demand cuts to tourist beds

Calls for housing, water and transport action

Chain carries written demands to Consolat de Mar