In Venice, residents have been protesting for years against the cruise ships that are polluting the city. Overtourism and Airbnb rentals are a big issue in Barcelona and Amsterdam. Residents in the Canary Islands also demonstrated against mass tourism.
However, if there is one place that is overrun with masses of tourists year after year, it is Mallorca. Especially in the last few days, discontent has been simmering among the residents of the Balearic island, especially in the municipality of Sóller.
The overcrowding by tourists began at the beginning of May. The result: kilometers of traffic jams, disrupted everyday life and a noticeable impact on the environment. Social networks are already full of angry comments and videos describing the stressful situation.
A local resident complains: “If you live in Sóller, you are locked in from May to September.” Another adds: “We are sold the idea that we live from tourism, but at the same time we are forced to live in these conditions life.”
As “Mallorca Magazine” reports, the situation has remained unchanged for days – even though the high season has not yet started. The residents are demanding immediate solutions and a rethinking of the tourism concept. “It is time for a sustainable model that ends congestion, respects residents and the environment,” it said in a statement.
At the beginning of May, especially on Thursday (May 2, 2024), the traffic was so heavy that by mid-morning a line of cars up to six kilometers long had formed from the tunnel entrance through the entire tube to the entrance to Sóller. The tunnel even had to be closed at times. The reason for the rush was probably the first weekend in May.
Several citizen movements have already come together under the motto “SOS Residents” to protest against overcrowding and the negative consequences of mass tourism. They are calling for a sustainable tourism model that takes the environment and the quality of life of the residents into account.
Councilor Carlos Darder explained to the Mallorca Zeitung that “it is absolutely impossible to provide parking for this large number of cars coming to Sóller”. The town hall cannot solve this problem. Those responsible in the municipal administration are initially at a loss as to how the influx of holidaymakers should be brought under control.
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The original for this article “Mallorca community already on the verge of collapse in May: “We are being forced to accept conditions”” comes from Express.de.