Tourists on one of Majorca's most famous party beaches were taken by surprise at the weekend as protestors against mass tourism staged another sit-on as part of ongoing demonstrations on the island. The campaign group 'Majorca Platja Tour' said they chose Balneario 6 in Playa de Palma as it has turned from a beautiful sandy beach into a "drunken" one. They have also warned more protests are to follow, including in Magaluf.
Holidaymakers were shocked when the 100-plus protestors arrived. Tensions flared between one beach-goer and one protesters, but the confrontation quickly petered out. Most tourists took the opportunity to take pictures of the campaigners.
Have you cancelled your holiday to Spain over fears for your safety? Email us at [email protected] The campaigners, who were part of the 'Let's occupy our beaches' movement, chose to turn the clocks back to the 60s and 70s before the beach became famous for its round-the-clock parties. Two police vans with eight police officers attended the protest, as well as a helicopter flying over the area.
The group promised the protest would be peaceful, and there were no violent incidents for its duration. Compared to the first protest in Sa Rapita, this weekend's protest was larger. However, it was around 300 people smaller than a similar protest on Caló des Moro beach.
The protest this weekend also coincided with the day that Gatwick Airport had predicted would be the busiest for holidaymakers heading to Spain. Sign up for FREE to Mirror Travel and discover dream escapes, latest travel advice and more JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP: Discover your next dream getaway in the UK or abroad by joining our free Mirror Travel WhatsApp community HERE . GET THE NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror Travel newsletter for a weekly dose of the best holiday deals, travel warnings, expert advice and hidden gems, straight to your inbox.
The association said they had chosen Balneario 6 as a "symbol of a drunken beach". "[We have] a tourism model that we think is doing us a lot of harm," protestors criticised. The idea was to make the two-hour protest a "trip to the past" and a family meeting.
"A nod to the Majorca of the 60s and 70s," said the group which stressed the action "was not against tourism but against a tourism model that impoverishes". "We also want to be the voice that reminds our political representatives that they do not work only for the great elites but for all the citizens of this land," the protestors concluded, insisting that they are not against tourists but against the model. Fancy earning money when you book a holiday? Thanks to Quidco, you can.
After signing up for free, Quidco gives you a chunk of money back every time you spend. If your first purchase is within 30 days of signing up and is £5 or more, you'll receive cashback on that purchase and a £15 bonus. One of the protestors said: "40 years ago, when I was young, I used to come here to swim, then people started coming to drink and it has deteriorated.
" And another said: "We are trying, for a moment, for a few hours, to remember that these sandbanks are the property of all Majorcans, not just tourists, we can all enjoy them too. "Many tourists understand this, it is easy to understand that the rent has doubled, that everything is full. They are understanding, it is not a criticism of them, it is a criticism of the tourism model.
" Protests have been taking place in Majorca, and the rest of Spain, for many months now due to "inaction" from authorities in relation to the tourist overcrowding in the islands. From Ryanair-approved cabin suitcases to overnight bags, premium luggage brand Antler has reduced some of its best-selling pieces. In its summer sale, you can save up to 40% on high-quality cases .
Recently, Majorca announced that it is cutting the number of tourist beds by 18,000 in a bid to address local concerns, with officials saying coexistence between visitors and residents is "at risk" due to the congestion. The Balearic Islands are also upping curbs on street drinking and party boats to limit drunken behaviour. Brits have been reported calling hotels in the Balearic Islands to ask whether they are safe to visit amidst the ongoing protests.
According to many Majorcan businesses , bookings are being cancelled. Further sit-ins are planned for the coming weeks, including in Magaluf and Port d'Alcúdia..
