Following the “tourists go home” protests across Spain, residents of Mallorca have revealed what they really think of Brit holidaymakers visiting their island.
Throughout the year, Spaniards have been voicing their frustrations through demonstrations, particularly in popular holiday destinations on the mainland and within the Balearic Islands.
Holding placards and graffitiing walls with slogans like “tourists go home”, locals are incensed by soaring rental costs linked to residential properties being snapped up for tourism.
Andrew McVey, a Brit who has made Mallorca his home, delved into public opinion by querying residents for a video on his YouTube channel Loving Life Mallorca.
Marga, employed at a hotel reception, shared with him: “We need it [tourism]. I work at the reception, I love guests. I love England too. And we are very happy that they are coming here […] the tourists, we are living off them. We have to take care of them!”
Meanwhile Alex and Eric, two Palma-based students, mentioned they “like” the influx of tourists and have even secured jobs in the tourism sector.
Andrew also spoke to tourists themselves, asking Paul and Rita from Belfast about their sense of security on the island. Paul shared: “We heard about it [the protests] from the press and were a wee bit worried before we came, but when we came here we found Palma to be grand. No problem. And at the resort, no problems there. There’s not an issue.”
Vlad and Cleo from Romania contrasted their experience in Barcelona from the beginning of summer to their current stay in Mallorca, noting: “It was a bit harsh there. It was like, ‘Get out of here’, but people here are welcoming.”
Alec, visiting Palma from New York, was asked: “Do you feel welcome?” He told Andrew: “Absolutely. Not one instance have we felt unwelcome. Everyone has been very hospitable and very kind.”
