A coalition of residents, environmental groups and campaigners have issued an open letter regarding one of Spain’s most popular destinations, to tourists, urging them to stay away
Several anti-tourist groups have published an open letter warning of a summer of chaos in popular Spanish destinations.
The message from the groups could not be clearer. “Do not come”, they have urged holidaymakers in an open letter.
Campaign groups in Majorca, Spain, issued the letter asking tourists to reconsider visiting the island due to concerns about tourism’s impact on the local communities and the environment. The letter, which is addressed “Dear tourists”, reflects on Majorca’s long relationship with tourism, but also reveals that what once was a source of pride for the destination has now become the island’s greatest challenge.
The organisations behind the letter—SOS Residents, Menys Turisme Més Vida, GOB, GADMA, Alternativa per Pollença, Brunzit, and Amics de la Vall de Coanegra—hope that their message will pressure the authorities to take decisive action on regulating tourism.
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The letter reads:
Dear Sir,
We represent various groups of residents in Mallorca who are deeply concerned about the overwhelming saturation our island is experiencing. he recent statements made by local politicians and hoteliers, with great irresponsibility, deny this evident reality and promote the arrival of even more tourists from both international and national markets.
We are facing the worst summer in the history of Mallorca. All predictions indicate that in 2025, all historical records of visitors and overcrowding will be shattered once again, creating an emergency situation in a fragile environment that is already uninhabitable. Therefore, on behalf of the undersigned groups, we present a letter that we believe expresses the feelings of a large portion of the Mallorcan population, who are not being heard.
We ask that, if you deem it appropriate, you help spread this message so that the true situation of our island is known, appealing to the individual responsibility of visitors, since this responsibility is non-existent within our governors and the local tourist lobby, which is solely driven by economic interests.
Thank you very much for your attention and help.
A second letter directly appeals to tourists who may be considering visiting Majorca, urging them to consider the impact doing so may have on locals and the environment. It reads:
Dear tourists,
It is well known that Mallorca is an island recognised worldwide. Historically, we have been a welcoming land, strategically located in the Mediterranean Sea. Mallorca has a long tradition of tourism. We have made history when it comes to tourism. Until recently, this was a source of pride, but right now it has become our biggest problem.
In the 1970s, Mallorca was called the “island of calm.” Obviously, we are talking about a not-so-distant past, where the coexistence between tourists and residents maintained a balance. These were other times, when tourists spent their vacations on Mallorca, a sector of the population worked for them, but there were also other productive sectors (industry, agriculture…). The residents lived in peace and harmony because everyone occupied their “place” in a fragile and wonderful environment.
Things have changed, and Mallorca has become a top tourist destination. The island has been exploited to unimaginable limits, leading to the collapse we are now suffering. The money generated by the tourism industry has attracted people from all over the world who trade with our island. The greed and avarice of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and all kinds of “parasites” have brought us to an emergency situation.
There is no need to list the problems that we residents suffer from, they are well known: environmental and ecosystem deterioration, infrastructure issues, overwhelmed public services, transportation problems, loss of quality of life, gentrification, disproportionate increases in the cost of living, and a total lack of access to housing for the local population.
This had never happened before in Mallorca, and civil society has taken to the streets. We have mobilized to demand that our politicians regulate this situation and prevent a major disaster. However, surprisingly, instead of listening and taking action to reverse this crisis, they deny reality and continue to promote tourism in established markets, such as the Berlin Fair, while also creating new ones.
The big question. With all the talk of tax rises and possible protests will you still come on holiday to Mallorca? The Yes vote is winning but only slightly! Their only goal is to increase the number of visitors and generate more money for a minority, on an island that is already completely oversaturated.
The letter goes on to highlight some stats that show how difficult the situation there has become.
● If Mallorca were an independent state, it would be the second in absolute growth over the last 40 years, with an 84% population increase, only surpassed by India with 91%.
● In the last 25 years, while the number of tourists has increased by more than 30%, the Balearic Islands have plummeted in the European per capita income ranking, falling from position 48 to 148. (More tourism no longer generates wealth but poverty).
● Every year, for every island resident, we receive 15 tourists (meaning human pressure on our land is multiplied by 15).
● This is the third consecutive year of record-breaking visitor numbers in Mallorca. In 2024, Palma de Mallorca Airport handled over 33 million passengers, a 7% increase from 2023. In 2025, tourist numbers are expected to increase by 6%. Cruise ship tourism in the Port of Palma is also expected to rise, reaching 1.8 million passengers.
The letter concludes by calling politicians ‘insulting’ for referring to tourism in Majorca, arguing that “nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Politicians tell us they want to promote the deseasonalization of the tourism industry. This would mean reducing the number of tourists during peak season by spreading them throughout the year. However, what is actually happening is exactly the opposite: maintaining 100% occupancy during peak season while also filling Mallorca with tourists for the rest of the year,” the letter continues.
“Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love it’s being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourselves in our place!
“It is time to take a stand. Our leaders do not listen to us, so we, the residents, ask you: DO NOT COME. We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. Locals say: ENOUGH. STAY HOME!”