Spain will welcome a record number of visitors for the second year in a row, despite a massive rise in anti-tourism protesters across the country.
The Destino travel agency reported that it already has 54% more reservations for Spain this year than in the summer months of 2023.
Tourists from Portugal, Germany and Italy are heading to Spain in droves, with each nation seeing an increase of 70%, 48% and 36% respectively.
But the agency’s data shows Britons have largely avoided Spain, with bookings from the UK specifically falling by 15%.
Data from the UN tourism agency showed the country received 85 million visitors last year, double the native population. This figure is 13 million more than the previous year.
British tourists watch the coronation of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla on television screens in a pub in Benidorm.
Protesters hold a banner saying ‘Mallorca is not for sale’ during a demonstration
A protester holds a sign that says “homeless rebels”
While tourism accounts for around 13% of Spain’s GDP, angry locals in tourist hotspots have been protesting against tourism in their regions, leaving tourists feeling intimidated.
An estimated 15,000 locals joined the protest that passed through the capital, Palma, and headed to Weyler Square on Saturday, where tourists came out en masse for dinner and drinks.
Polly Taylor, who was dining with three friends, said she initially had no idea what the crowd was doing until they began to approach the restaurant when armed police began to appear on the scene.
“It was like a storm was coming, but we didn’t know what it was… then the noise from the protesters got louder and louder and they swamped us,” Taylor said.
Finally, when the small group with whistles and drums began to make more and more noise, a Majorcan who was having dinner nearby tried to dialogue with the agitators.
The group responded by blowing whistles in his face and taunting him, Taylor said.
Protesters take part in a performance depicting a tourist and a Mallorcan dressed in traditional costume during a demonstration to protest against the massification of tourism and housing prices.
Protesters hold signs that say “For rent and I can’t pay” during a demonstration to protest against the overcrowding of tourism
The intimidating atmosphere continued as Taylor held up signs that read, “Go back home, tourists.”
‘At that point, amongst the sea of people and…, it felt very intimidating to the point that we discussed trying to leave and get out in case it got unpleasant. “We finally managed to move into the restaurant and get off the street before the problems started.”
One protester walked through the street diner while “clapping and shouting.”
The Londoner said she asked her waiter what the protest was about, but he told her he didn’t know. “She clearly did, but he seemed embarrassed,” she added.
Now, Taylor has said she will not visit Mallorca again.
‘I’ll take my money somewhere else until they sort this out. I understand their cause: being excluded from their own country because of tourism, but they were targeting the wrong people.’
People take part in a protest against mass tourism and gentrification on the island ahead of the summer season in Palma de Mallorca.
Bilbao residents were shocked to see a large anti-tourist sign handwritten on a bus stop sign offering cheap flights to the Balearic Islands.
‘They will never target your government or big holiday companies. “We were simply contributing to their economy by going on vacation for a few days,” Taylor said.
Anti-tourist sentiment is spreading throughout Spain. Palma-based Laura Barceló, who describes herself as a birth photographer, surprised some and won the support of others by posting a “no tourism” message at a bus stop after leaving Mallorca for a weekend. of week. far.
He surprised residents of the northern Spanish city of Bilbao by placing a large handwritten sign on a billboard at a bus stop offering cheap flights to the Balearic Islands from just 19 euros (£16) to enjoy of the “rhythm and waves” of the region that said: ‘The Balearic Islands are very overpopulated.
‘If you want to help us, don’t come for the moment. We will welcome you again if we manage to reverse this unsustainable tourism situation.’
She added, referring to the price of accommodation on islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza that protesters against the current tourism model link to Airbnb-style vacation rentals: “Flights at 19 euros, rentals at 1,900 euros” before signing her message as “A Mallorquina” . – English for ‘A Mallorcan woman’.
He wrote on X, formerly Twitter, where he published the photo of his protest: ‘I could not leave Bilbao… without complaining and thanking a city that wishes us the best in this cause.