By Chris Samuel Jordan Coussins
Despite a surge of protests in Majorca, Brits seem unfazed with visitor numbers on the rise in May, as per official data. The National Statistics Institute’s Frontur survey of tourist movements indicates a 1.6% decrease in tourism to the Balearic Islands overall compared to May 2024. Majorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, saw a 1% drop, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. German tourists, who significantly outnumber visitors from other countries, had seen an average increase of around 10% in recent months but experienced a 2% fall for the Balearics and a 2.3% drop for Majorca in May, as reported by the outlet. Read more: Killer boy ‘played PlayStation’ after murdering teen However, the UK, which has reportedly seen several monthly declines since May 2024, witnessed a 6% increase in visitors to the islands (up to 509,000) and a 9% surge to 310,000 specifically in Majorca. This contradicts the decreases observed in both the German market and among visitors from elsewhere in Spain, which experienced a 10.7% drop for the Balearics to 276,000 visitors and nearly a 4% decline for Majorca, as per the Spanish English-Language newspaper. This comes amidst a series of demonstrations on the streets of Majorca and across Europe protesting against the impact of tourism on living costs, reports the Express . Protesters are particularly driven by the cost of accommodation, which they argue has soared partly due to holiday lets and second homes owned by foreigners. Last month, holidaymakers on the island were reportedly encircled and taunted by demonstrators as anti-tourism protests spread across popular European holiday spots. Thousands took to the streets in Palma de Majorca on Sunday, with significant gatherings also seen in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese cities. In response to public outrage, Majorcan authorities have implemented a variety of measures, including hiking the tourist tax and introducing new charges on car rentals. Other impacted cities have also responded. For instance, Barcelona announced plans last year to gradually eliminate the 10,000 flats licensed for short-term lets by 2028, to make more room for permanent residents. The Spanish government has also pledged to address the housing crisis in the country, proposing restrictions such as a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU residents.