SUNNY Majorca has always been a Brit favourite holiday hotspot – with its scenic beaches, relaxing vibe and great nightlife.
But the idyllic Balearic island has seen violent gangs, bar brawls and anti-tourist protests stain its good name.
AFP or licensorsA private security guard observes tourists partying in Punta Ballena street in Majorca[/caption]
AFP – GettyA go-go dancer performs in a club on Punta Ballena street[/caption]
GettyRevellers flocking to the streets of Majorca to party all night[/caption]
AFP – GettyA security guard pins down a tourist on the street after a bar fight[/caption]
British holidaymakers drinking at a bar in Costa Blanca, Spain
Young Brit tourists covered in foam while enjoying a holiday on the Spanish island
SolarpixAnti-tourist protesters have been taking to the streets across Spanish holiday hotspots[/caption]
But an expert insists that despite the chaos, Brits are continuing to flock to the island – in higher numbers than usual.
Holidaymakers love bustling Palma and party town Magaluf – but it would be natural for visitors to feel unwanted after the recent rise of the anti-tourism movement.
A poll by Majorca Daily Bulletin revealed that 43.15 per cent of tourists are doubting whether they should book a holiday to Majorca.
Anti-tourist protests have spread across Spain in the past few weeks – with Majorca said to be bracing for more as British cops are set to be deployed to the Spanish island to help with rowdy tourists.
And although Majorca has a relatively low crime rate, the Balearics had the highest levels in Spain last year, official statistics reveal.
But still – a staggering 4,438,772 British tourists have flocked to Spain from January till April 2024 – the highest first quarter amount ever.
This exceeds the pre-pandemic years of 2018 and 2019, according to Alastair Johnson, owner of Moving to Spain.
He told The Sun: “We’ve chatted to a few people in Majorca and we’ve tried to get some view on this.
“They definitely were some protests they were quite small.
“The big takeaway is that the the protests are not trying to stop tourism at all. What they’re trying to do is get some sort of a level.
“So tourism is up 15 this year already year today, 15 up last year.
and British tourism is up as well.
“So Brits are still coming over to Spain and higher numbers than they were in 2023. So I don’t think we are seeing any impact on that.”
He explained that local communities are “under strain” due to the lack of supermarkets or pharmacies, which have been taken up by shops “selling sunscreen and towels and those sorts of things”.
“So what the protests are is not about trying to stop tourism,” Alistair said.
“It’s about trying to get tourism to a level that’s that’s much more manageable.”
GANG WARS
One of the factors that has disturbed Majorca’s safe vibe is the recent local battles that have escalated into full-on gang wars.
Cops were forced to break up a 50-person fight in Palma’s Son Gotleu district last week – reportedly involving Spaniards, Africans, and Moroccans on one side and Algerians on the other.
At least four people – reportedly young Algerians – were injured as a crowd of some 200 blocked a street with a burning container and threw objects at riot cops.
Neighbours locked themselves in their homes amid the pitched battles, with one telling Última Hora: “I’m very scared, I can’t even go outside.”
Another neighbour said the group which included the Spaniards “don’t like the Algerians and we don’t want them either”.
Neighbours reportedly said in reference to Algerian people who are living in Son Gotleu: “Either they leave, or we will throw them out.”
Violent gang wars broke out in Palma last week
A huge brawl erupted on a beach in Majorca last week
British cops are set to join their Spanish counterparts in Majorca
Anti-tourist graffiti has appeared on walls across the island
BAR BRAWLS
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”.
There have been a number of incidents sparking fury among locals – most recently a clash between British stag-do and bar staff.
The eight men were arrested last week at Balneario Illetas beach club, after a huge brawl left bar workers and two cops injured.
Shocking footage showed the stag party fighting with staff after they were allegedly told off for throwing rubbish and cans of beer into the sea.
In another clip, the men were hauled into a Palma court in handcuffs.
They were released just in time for the wedding – but they still face the possibility of returning to court if they are charged.
And last month rugby star Billy Vunipola said he “lost control” after causing a scene following a boozy night out.
The rugby ace said he has no recollection of the incident where he was shirtless wrestling with cops who were forced to taser him.
The incident erupted after he started dancing with his top off and refused to put it back on for 20 minutes.
He is said to have been bumping into some of the other 60 revellers and refused to stop, leading staff to call police.
TOURIST ATTACKS
A British teenager was allegedly raped after having her drink spiked while on holiday in Majorca last month.
Police are searching for two other men who have witnessed the horrific attack and allegedly “did nothing to prevent it”.
She told cops she had been plied with alcohol at a bar in S’illot, a small tourist town on the south east coast of Majorca, before being taken to a storeroom when she became dizzy and “offered sex”.
And a RAF serviceman was arrested in Majorca after being accused of raping a British holidaymaker in a hotel after meeting her at a bar.
The 27-year-old suspect was hauled into court in handcuffs this afternoon after being held overnight in a police cell.
ANTI-TOURISM PROTESTS
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of all for holidaymakers is being made feel unwanted.
Demonstrations have taken place on beaches across the island with locals protesting over excess tourism.
Bitter grafitti has been posted on walls across Majorca – and other Spanish hotspots – urging tourists to “go home”.
The big takeaway is that the the protests are not trying to stop tourism at all
Alastair Johnson
Locals have even threatened to block the island’s airports and protest outside hotels.
Campaigners claim mass tourism is causing housing shortages, major environmental damage, and driving down wages.
Despite the negativity, official figures show that the numbers of Brit holidaymakers in Spain is up by 14 per cent in comparison to last year.
TUI declared the Balearic Islands had “reached capacity” and urged holidaymakers to look elsewhere when booking their next holiday.
Alastair explained that graffiti saying “no more tourists” or “we’re full, go home” has appeared – but there has not been any new reports of negative interaction or hostility against British tourists.
I think that there are definitely are small, isolated incidents. The people we spoke to say they don’t feel unsafe walking the streets
Alastair Johnson
He added that Majorca remains a safe place despite isolated incidents of gang violence.
“Statistics show around 16 per cent of young people in Majorca who don’t have a job and are not in education and that’s a lot of kids sitting around doing nothing,” Alistair explained.
“And they’re frustrated. They can see a lot of money changing hands. And they’re not accessing it.
“I think there are definitely are small, isolated incidents. The people we spoke to say they don’t feel unsafe walking the streets.
“They’re happy to be out at night, that living their lives as they see fit.
“But there are young, unemployed people, and where they’re young, unemployed people there are social issues.”
The expert said that places like Magaluf and Benidorm with “British style pubs and the British football on the TV” are still going strong.
But he said Brits have been exploring more Spanish destinations.
He added: “I think a lot of Brits are starting to get a little bit more adventurous and look around at some place like Galicia, places they can explore a little bit differently.”
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
One protester holds a placard which reads: ‘SOS residents’
Thousands of people demonstrated against tourism policies in Tenerife
Hostile messages against foreigners can be found on the walls