Tens of thousands expected at anti-tourism rally in Palma amid housing and saturation debate

· Society ESP
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Around 30,000 demonstrators are expected to march through Palma on Sunday evening in a rally against tourism saturation on Mallorca. The protest organised by Menys Turisme, Més Vida will depart Plaça d'Espanya at 7 p.m. and finish near Parc de la Mar, with police imposing road closures and bus diversions across the city.

The demonstration follows the arrest of two youths for graffiti on a luxury estate agency, which Sumar-Més lawmakers challenged as disproportionate in questions to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Housing costs remain central to the unrest, with property in the Balearic Islands averaging €4,067 per square metre, the second-highest in Spain.

Regional president Marga Prohens acknowledged the islands have "reached their limit", pointing to 115,000 holiday rental places approved under the previous administration. Business groups have conceded the archipelago cannot grow indefinitely, while airport disruption looms as Swissport ground staff announced strikes for late July and early August.

Story development

  1. Mallorca anti-tourism rally draws tens of thousands, sparks clashes with police in Palma
  2. Tens of thousands expected at anti-tourism rally in Palma amid housing and saturation debate