"Anti-German Graffiti Spree" - Local residents deface numerous vehicles and stores with disrespectful German-themed slogans
In the picturesque island of Mallorca, a popular destination for tourists from Germany and the UK, an increase in anti-German sentiment towards mass tourism is causing a stir. This sentiment is part of a broader local frustration with overtourism, a problem that has been plaguing popular Spanish destinations like Barcelona.
The root of the issue lies in several key areas. The housing crisis, caused by the skyrocketing costs of apartments converted into short-term rentals, is pushing locals out of their own neighbourhoods, with rent increases exceeding 30%. The loss of local character, as traditional stores and community spaces are replaced by tourist-oriented businesses, is eroding the cultural identity of towns like Palma and Barcelona. The sheer volume of tourists has also overwhelmed infrastructure and altered the quality of life for residents, leading to protests and public demonstrations.
Thousands of residents in Mallorca and other tourist hotspots have taken to the streets, using water pistols to symbolically "bother" tourists and expressing their discontent through chants and signs such as "One more tourist, one less resident" and "Tourist Go Home." These acts aim to reclaim local neighbourhoods and highlight the tourism-driven changes that are causing resentment among residents.
The protests reflect deeper tensions that may impact the local tourism economy, although visitor numbers from some countries, including Germany, have remained strong despite the unrest. The rising rent and change in local businesses contribute to a feeling among residents of being systematically pushed out, fuelling growing resentment towards tourists seen as contributing to their displacement.
Despite the protests, tourism numbers remain high, especially from UK visitors, indicating a complex dynamic where economic benefits from tourism coexist with strong local opposition. The phenomenon is part of a broader European trend, with similar protests occurring in Venice, Lisbon, and other southern European tourist cities, signalling a wider reconsideration of tourism models in popular destinations.
The local police have confirmed incidents of anti-German slogans being spray-painted on cars and businesses in the small town of Santanyí on Mallorca. Unknown individuals have targeted shops owned by Germans, with slogans such as "Germans out" and "Foreign buyers go to hell" appearing in red on dozens of establishments. These incidents are part of the growing discontent on Mallorca over mass tourism, which involves Germans, who are facing a "shocking wave of hatred."
As the protests and anti-tourism sentiment continue, residents demand better regulation of short-term rentals and sustainable tourism policies to protect housing availability and preserve local culture. The discontent on Mallorca over mass tourism is causing tension between locals and foreign tourists, particularly Germans, and it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the future.
- Residents in Mallorca, frustrated by the housing crisis, overtourism, and loss of local character, have started a movement to apply pressure on authorities, demanding better regulation of short-term rentals and sustainable tourism policies.
- The rise in anti-German sentiment towards mass tourism in Mallorca has led to incidents of slogans being spray-painted on cars and businesses, hinting at a growing rift in the already contentious relationship between locals and German tourists.
