Germany Opponents of mass tourism demonstrate at Ballermann

On Mallorca, locals have once again demonstrated against mass tourism. Around one hundred people symbolically occupied the beach of Ballermann, which is particularly popular with Germans.

"We want to remind people, even if only for a few hours, that the beach belongs to all Mallorcans," activist Eloy told the newspaper "Diario de Mallorca". The holidaymakers who took photos of the action and banners such as "Let's occupy our beaches" or simply "Enough is enough" understood this. "The action is not directed against them, but against the tourism model," said Eloy.

Such actions on beaches have often taken place on the favorite vacation island of many Germans: several tens of thousands of people took part in two peaceful demonstrations in Palma in May and June against the excesses of tourism.

Protests also took place in other tourist centers in Spain. Critics complain above all about the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing as a result of the mass influx of holidaymakers.

So far, the demonstrations have all been peaceful. Now, however, nasty graffiti slogans have appeared on Mallorca, as reported by "Mallorcamagazin" and "Mallorca Zeitung". "Kill A Tourist" or in German "Tourismus macht frei". Apparently an allusion to the cynical Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work makes you free") above the entrance gates of concentration camps.