BRITS heading for Ibiza this bank holiday weekend could face major carnage as anti-tourist protests are set to flood the popular hotspot.
Hundreds of fuming demonstrators have taken to the Spanish paradise’s streets to vent their anger as others vowed to cause chaos at the busy Majorca airport.
SolarpixHundreds of protesters have flooded the streets of Ibiza in yet another anti-tourism demonstration across Spanish territories[/caption]
SolarpixThe crowds gathered at Ibiza town centre as more protests are set to take place this evening in Majorca[/caption]
Bav MediaDemonstrators holding a ‘luxury contamination’ banner at a previous Ibiza protest[/caption]
Some 1,000 campaigners held up banners saying “We don’t want an island of cement” and “Tourism, yes but not like this” as they massed outside Ibiza Council’s HQ.
Last night’s noisy Ibiza town centre protest took place just hours before thousands more head over to Palma this evening in what is expected to become the largest protest in the Canary Islands.
And just yesterday, riot cops and anti-tourist protesters went head-to-head in a violent clash outside a Louis Vuitton fashion show in Barcelona.
The main focus of the march will be the difficulty local people have in affording homes in Majorca, either for rent or sale, due to the higher prices owners can get for holiday rentals.
But protesters will also spotlight all other aspects of tourist saturation which they say is ruining Majorca.
Last week, another group “Més turisme, menys vida” (“More tourism, less life”) said it planned to cause chaos at Palma Aiport over this coming weekend so it would be paralysed.
Meanwhile, Brits across the other side of the island in San Antonio drank themselves silly and dismissed a street drinking ban which could see them hit with fines of up to £1,300.
The organisers of the Ibiza demo, a group called Prou Eivissa, met with Ibiza’s president Vicent Mari before taking to the streets.
Their demands include a limit on the number of vehicles that can enter the island in summer and a ban on using taxpayers’ cash to promote Ibiza as a tourist destination.
A letter was read out at the end of the protest from an Ibiza woman left the island with her family due to a “destructive” tourist model that had led to “more cars, more tourists and more incivility.”
SolarpixThousands of Brits and holidaymakers flock to the Spanish paradise every summer[/caption]
RexPeople walk past a graffiti against tourism reading ‘Tourist go home’[/caption]
In the run-up to yesterday evening’s protest, organisers said: “We are completely fed up with the failure to properly address the complaints of so many citizens about the nefast consequences of a massive and selfish tourism which ignores the future of the island.
“Our beautiful island is in danger.
“Tourist crowds not only affect our quality of life, but also the beauty and authenticity that makes Ibiza such a special place.
“Tourist overcrowding makes the cost of living unattainable for many residents.
“We fight for an Ibiza where we can all live in dignity. It is time to raise our voices and protect our home.”
The protest was the first of its kind since April 20 when thousands in the Canary Islands took to the streets to demonstrate against mass tourism and demand actions from their politicians.
Zealots in Tenerife were said to have held up banners saying “You enjoy we suffer” and “Tourism moratorium now”.
Local authorities said that said around 30,000 people had taken part in the demonstrations, while organisers put the figure at 80,000.
This evening, organisers Banc del Temps will stage a separate protest against “tourist overcrowding” in Majorca’s city centre and airport.
Campaigners will take to the streets with the slogan “Mallorca no se vende”, which is Spanish for “Majorca is not up for sale”.
The airport protest in the peak tourist season will involve collapsing Palma Airport with cars, causing mayhem to holidaymakers trying to kick start their much-awaited getaway.
The maddening plans were discussed at a brain-storming session just over a week ago organised by association Menys Turisme, which translates into English as “Less Tourism, More Life.”
Mass protests outside hotels and on beaches were also put forward as proposals at a citizens’ assembly attended by more than 300 people.
Anti-tourist graffiti has appeared in both Majorca and Tenerife in recent months.
Some foreign holidaymakers have shown their support for the issues raised by campaigners but others have accused them of biting the hand that feeds them.
Overnight a British tourist celebrating her birthday in San Antonio’s raucous West End said toughened-up regional government restrictions designed to promote responsible tourism were “stupid.”
They cover the party area as well as Magaluf’s party strip Punta Ballena and include a ban on street drinking as well as night-time closure orders for shops selling alcohol.
A Prou Eivissa spokesman told the paper: “We don’t want no tourism but we want a different tourism.
“We want some controls. We want our lovely island back.”
The popular holiday island is the latest Spanish destination to see demonstrations, following on from Tenerife and the other Canary Islands last month.
Locals say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holiday-makers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer.
Meanwhile, another holiday hotspot sparked fury over its anti-tourism plans, which include hunting “illegal” visitors and a “fascist” list of foreigners.
Residents and businesses in Girona, Spain, argue they have reached their limit with “overtourism” and called for urgent measures as “it is already too late”.
Locals in the Catalan town proposed increasing the number of patrols to find illegal tourist apartments and creating a list of all foreign residents living in Girona.
The controversial plans have left many expats fuming, with some slamming the proposals as “fascist”.
One user said: “Far right nationalism in Girona. Looks like populism is taking a hold even in traditionally left leaning liberal areas.”
Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots
IT isn’t just Majorca where anti-tourist measures are being implemented across Europe.
Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities.
Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable.
In April, thousands of people took to the streets in Tenerife to demand restrictions on holidaymakers after telling Brits to “go home”.
The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read “You enjoy we suffer” in English.
Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
The marches were organised under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are “very worried” by the anger growing amongst island residents but branded holiday homes in Spain a “virus”.
More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport reportedly approved an initiative to reintroduce a cap on cruise ships to Palma, Majorca’s capital.
Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.