FURIOUS locals have chained up entrances to an idyllic village dubbed “Spanish Mykonos” in a bid to stop tourists from visiting at night.
The latest act of protest against foreigners comes as thousands took to the streets in Majorca and Menorca today.
SolarpixAn idyllic village in Menorca was dubbed ‘Spanish Mykonos’ for its resemblance to Greek island[/caption]
ReutersHomeowners have placed ropes or chains in several areas across Binibeca to block tourists out[/caption]
SolarpixLocals have blocked 22 entryways to the village warning tourists to keep out[/caption]
SolarpixVisitors can gain access only between 11am and 8pm[/caption]
The residents of Binibeca Vell on Menorca’s southern coast have gotten fed up with visitors roaming the streets of their village.
The frustrated homeowners have blocked 22 entryways to the private community with chains warning tourists to keep out at night.
Visitors wishing to gain access to the iconic destination have to do so between 11am and 8pm.
Locals said they have taken the measure to protect their rest times during busy periods.
Around 800,000 a year flock to the picturesque village to take snaps of white houses, resembling the signature architecture of Mykonos, for their social media.
Residents might tighten the current restrictions in August – the busiest period of the season.
Meanwhile, huge demonstrations have swept across the Balearic Islands as thousands marched in Majorca and Menorca on Saturday.
An estimated 10,000 furious protesters swarmed the streets of Majorca to display their discontent with mass tourism.
Hordes of angry locals filled a square in Menorca as they transformed it into a mock beachfront, turning up with deckchairs and towels.
One of the organisers, Carma Reines, told Sky News: “We want the authorities to stop people who have not lived here more than five years from buying properties and to put more controls on holiday accommodation.”
According to data from industry group Exceltur, tourism contributes roughly 45% of the Balearic Islands’ GDP.
But anti-tourists demonstrators claim that vacation rentals are driving away residents.
Javier Cardonell, a real estate in Majorca, said: “We want less mass tourism and more sustainable tourism.”
The Balearic Group of Ornithology and Nature Protection of Menorca (GOB Menorca) believes “tourist saturation” is to blame for “job and life insecurity”, a lack of housing and “environmental issues”.
New rules in the Balearic Islands
THE Spanish government has some strict rules in place for those visiting Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.
Certain restaurants have dress codes, banning tops without straps, swimwear or football kits.
Holidaymakers can also be fined for walking around topless or in a state of undress while not on the beach.
You could even get into trouble for driving topless.
At some hotels, men might have to wear proper trousers for dinner.
Authorities in Majorca are cracking down on tourists by imposing fresh bans on drinking on the streets and graffiti.
Any tourist breaching the new rules could be slapped with a fine of £1,300.
The penalty can be increased up to £2,600, in case the grounds of the offence are more serious.
Fines for graffiti, vandalism and loud slogans have also been increased to £2,600.
If minors are found to commit graffiti vandalism, their parents will be held responsible – and will be forced to pay the fine.
Flooding the streets with banners, posters and advertising brochures is now prohibited.
Destroying listed buildings, monuments, and other important public areas would be considered a serious offence – and could attract fines of up to £2,600
The protesters demanded the Spanish government to curb the influx of visitors by sanctioning more hotels and holiday lets.
This is just the latest in the string of efforts to squeeze out unwanted foreigners from the holiday hotspots.
Activists hope to orchestrate the biggest demonstration yet across the Spanish islands in July.
The residents are threatening to bring Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera to a standstill during the peak season for British holidaymakers.
ANTI-TOURISM PROTESTS
Locals have also slammed unruly tourists and previously branded Brits as “low-quality” tourists who “drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips”.
Bitter grafitti has been posted on walls across Majorca – and other Spanish hotspots – urging tourists to “go home”.
Locals have even threatened to block the island’s airports and protest outside hotels.
Tourism company TUI declared the Balearic Islands had “reached capacity” and asked holidaymakers to look elsewhere when booking their next holiday.
As many as 10,000 people demand limits on the number of visitors allowed in Majorca
AFPProtesters hold a banner reading “Mallorca is not for sale” during a demonstration in Palma de Mallorca[/caption]
People walk past graffiti against tourism reading ‘Tourist go home’
Tourist bosses said the protests were starting to bite and they were worried about the future of their businesses.
Anti-protests continue elsewhere in Spain.
Large-scale demonstrations in the Canary Islands in April saw more than 50,000 people fill the streets of Tenerife to protest tourism on the island, holding placards which read: “You enjoy, we suffer.”
Campaigners claim mass tourism is causing housing shortages, major environmental damage, and driving down wages.
A local told Balearic Islands newspaper Ultima Hora: “Overcrowding affects us residents first by making it more expensive and worsening our quality of life, but tourists are also harmed.
“For this reason, our campaign seeks to involve them in the search for solutions to alleviate this problem.”
Some say locals have been forced to live in tents and cars as a result of foreigners forcing them out of affordable housing.