In the latest string of anti-tourism measures sweeping Europe , protesters are planning a huge Canary Islands -style demo across the Balearic Islands next month – at the height of the holiday season. Thousands of locals are expected to march through the archipelago off eastern Spain – on Majorca , Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera – on July 21. Organisers predict it will be the largest protest of its kind in Spain , since thousands took to the streets across the Canary Islands on April 20.
According to Government officials, 30,000 people took part in the Tenerife march alone but demo leaders put the figure at 80,000. Around 15,000 people protested on May 25 in the Majorcan capital Palma, during which foreigners eating their dinner in a central square were jeered. The march came a day after 1,000 locals took part in a demo in Ibiza to condemn the effects of mass tourism.
The organisers of the last Majorca protest, a platform called Menys Turisme, Mes Vida which in English translates as Less Tourism, More Life, organised a meeting yesterday afternoon where the July 21 demo date was agreed upon as a working proposal. Margalida Ramis, head of affiliated group GOB Mallorca which is set to take a lead role in its organisation, said: “We are already working on this and are in contact with groups on the other islands. We’re hoping those who supported the recent protests in Majorca and Ibiza will take part along with others like tourist industry workers.
“Tourist overcrowding .
