Brit tourists should not be used as a ‘punching bag’ for the worsening housing crisis impacting Spain, hotel bosses have warned in a major clap-back at protesting locals
Hotel bosses on a tourist-engulf Spanish island have jumped to the defence of Brits following a string of confrontational protests. Last year, a staggering 15.3 million international visitors flocked to the Balearics – a beautiful archipelago made up of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The influx resulted in fed-up locals storming the streets en masse – waving banners demanding holidaymakers ‘go home’.
Arguing the rising demand of holiday rentals is pricing them out of the property market – and worsening the country’s housing crisis – residents even took to squirting Brits with water pistols to get their message across.
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The latest protest, which took place just last month, comes as activists vowed to unleash ‘misery’ for Brits during the busy summer period. However, it seems the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is pushing back on the island’s anti-tourist landscape by launching a new campaign.
The initiative, which aims to thank millions of tourists for visiting the island and raise awareness of the ‘importance of tourism’ to the economy, has seen around twenty billboards distributed throughout Mallorca, using positive and welcoming messages in English and German.
According to local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin, Javier Vich, the president of the federation, said: “We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life… Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community.”
Javier added that every month during the high season, a staggering 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism. This includes workers in the transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality sectors.
The hotel boss went on to argue that Spain risks suffering a slowdown in bookings during the summer season, and more and more Brits flock to rival destinations like Greece and Turkey – which ‘welcome tourists with a red carpet’. Even Morocco – which has long struggled to attract high levels of tourism, has seen its visitor numbers surge in recent months.
“We must also be aware of their value,” Javier warned. “Mallorca has been, is and must continue to be a hospitable land…” While the campaign may be well received by self-serving hotel bosses, that cash in on tourism, it’s safe to say the news won’t go down well with locals demanding change.
And still – despite the alarming number of protests and graffiti that have been smeared across Spain – British expat Sandra Laurie, who has lived in Spain for nine years, says Brits should continue visiting Spain. “Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world,” she exclusively told the Mirror earlier this year.
“If you have a trip planned—don’t let the headlines deter you. The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer.” Of course, Sandra says being a ‘respectful’ visitor is key to being welcomed to the sunny country.
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