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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge victory for Brits as Spanish hotel bosses hit back at anti-tourist attacks
Brit tourists should not be used as a 'punching bag' for the worsening housing crisis impacting Spain, hotel bosses have warned in a major clap-back at protesting locals Hotel bosses on a tourist-engulf Spanish island have jumped to the defence of Brits following a string of confrontational protests. Last year, a staggering 15.3 million international visitors flocked to the Balearics - a beautiful archipelago made up of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The influx resulted in fed-up locals storming the streets en masse - waving banners demanding holidaymakers 'go home'. Arguing the rising demand of holiday rentals is pricing them out of the property market - and worsening the country's housing crisis - residents even took to squirting Brits with water pistols to get their message across. READ MORE: Tiny Greek island dubbed 'a smaller Mykonos' named voted best in the world The latest protest, which took place just last month, comes as activists vowed to unleash 'misery' for Brits during the busy summer period. However, it seems the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is pushing back on the island's anti-tourist landscape by launching a new campaign. The initiative, which aims to thank millions of tourists for visiting the island and raise awareness of the 'importance of tourism' to the economy, has seen around twenty billboards distributed throughout Mallorca, using positive and welcoming messages in English and German. According to local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin, Javier Vich, the president of the federation, said: "We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life... Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community." Javier added that every month during the high season, a staggering 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism. This includes workers in the transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality sectors. The hotel boss went on to argue that Spain risks suffering a slowdown in bookings during the summer season, and more and more Brits flock to rival destinations like Greece and Turkey - which 'welcome tourists with a red carpet'. Even Morocco - which has long struggled to attract high levels of tourism, has seen its visitor numbers surge in recent months. "We must also be aware of their value," Javier warned. "Mallorca has been, is and must continue to be a hospitable land..." While the campaign may be well received by self-serving hotel bosses, that cash in on tourism, it's safe to say the news won't go down well with locals demanding change. And still - despite the alarming number of protests and graffiti that have been smeared across Spain - British expat Sandra Laurie, who has lived in Spain for nine years, says Brits should continue visiting Spain. "Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world," she exclusively told the Mirror earlier this year. "If you have a trip planned—don't let the headlines deter you. The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer." Of course, Sandra says being a 'respectful' visitor is key to being welcomed to the sunny country.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Brits urged to 'go home' by Majorca hotels in awkward billboard plea
Hotels are putting up signage across the island in a bid to reclaim the viral "go home" messaging that local protesters have deployed Hoteliers in Majorca are uniting to urge British holidaymakers to "go home", but unlike the placards of local residents protesting against the effects of mass tourism, these hotel businesses are asking them to return "soon." The Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is erecting signs across the island in an attempt to reclaim the viral "go home" slogan used by local demonstrators demanding stricter regulations on short-term holiday rentals and a halt to hotel construction in favour of residential homes. Signs in both English and German, aimed at two of the Spanish island's key tourist demographics, will now somewhat awkwardly read: "Tourist, go home happy. Be happier returning to Mallorca soon. Thanks!". Despite an early summer dip in visitors from Germany and Spain, Brits, seemingly unfazed by the prospect of having a 'go home' placard brandished at them, have been dubbed the islands' "most loyal holidaymakers". This is evidenced by a recent nine per cent surge in British tourists visiting Majorca and a six per cent increase across the Balearics overall. Approximately 20 billboards will carry these messages, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, in a bid by business leaders to counteract some of the negative sentiment stirred up by these often well-attended protests. Javier Vich, the president of MEHF, expressed his hope that the billboards would capitalise on a recent significant victory for the local hospitality industry. The sector had experienced walk-outs and strikes over pay, before a "best in Spain" increase of 13.5 per cent was agreed with employers. Vich stated: "Every month during the high season, 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism: transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality.' before stressing that these salaries were paid from the proceeds of tourists visiting the island. He added: "We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life." The Balearic Islands rank as the third most popular destination for holidaymakers travelling to Spain, which has witnessed a tremendous tourism surge since the pandemic. This has resulted in a significant increase in illegal holiday rentals across the country, reducing the number of homes available for locals and driving up rental prices. However, Vich contended: "Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community."
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Exact July date not to fly to or from Majorca as striking hotel workers unveil plans for devastating airport blockade
Chaos may be in store for thousands of holidaymakers flying in and out of the Balearics HOLIDAY NIGHTMARE Exact July date not to fly to or from Majorca as striking hotel workers unveil plans for devastating airport blockade Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOTEL workers are planning to blockade Majorca's airport in a major protest over pay and conditions that could throw holidays into chaos. It comes as over 180,000 workers in the Balearic Islands announced plans to strike on multiple dates throughout July. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Hotel workers are planning a blockade on Majorca's airport on the first day of strikes Credit: Alamy 6 People march during a protest against overtourism in the Balearic Island of Majorca Credit: AP 6 Hotel workers in the Balearics earn less than the average hospitality worker in Spain Credit: Rex Unions say the goal of the airport blockade is to prevent entry and access points to the Balearics, which include Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The blockade is scheduled for July 10 - the first day of the Balearics' anti-tourism strikes. Walkouts will be repeated on July 18, 19, 25 and 31, with each one lasting the full 24 hours. A general strike in the hospitality sector, along with demonstrations across the Balearics' three main islands, was officially announced by the UGT union on Monday. The measure - carried out jointly with the CCOO union (Workers' Commissions) - will affect hotels, tourist accommodation, bars, restaurants, catering services, nightclubs and nightclubs. Both the Government Delegation and tourism bosses are reportedly aware of the looming strikes and protests. On July 10, marches in Majorca will begin at the Paseo Marítimo de Palma (at the height of Titos) and the Son Sant Joan Airport. Access points for arrivals and departures at Playa de Palma (Las Maravillas), Alcudia, Magaluf and Cala Millor will be blocked. The UGT is calling on nearly 180,000 workers to join these strikes. The goal is to put pressure on the hospitality sector to improve pay and working conditions. 6 Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Workers in the Balearics are paid less than the average hospitality worker in Spain, according to the CCOO. The strike alert was triggered on June 26 after unions walked out of talks over disagreements on pay raises and better working conditions. The UGT rejected an offer for an 11 percent salary increase, saying the gap between their demands and the employers' proposal was still "too great". José García Relucio, General Secretary of the Federation of Services, Mobility and Consumption of UGT, said the talks "could not have gone worse" and condemned employers' inflexibility around pay. Meanwhile, Javier Vich, President of the Hotel Business Federation of Majorca, blamed unions for failing to meet a compromise. But he added that employers were making "all the necessary efforts" to reach a "fair" agreement with workers. The union CCOO says that it will not sign below a 15 percent wage increase. Employers also rejected the UGT's proposal to reduce workers' hours to 35 per week. The UGT representatives left the meeting without signing the minutes of the session, while those from the CCOO signed the document. It comes as the streets of Majorca have seen a number of protests against overtourism since the start of the year. In June, anti-tourist protestors swarmed a table of dining Brits and chanted "go home" and "go to hell". Officers were called to the scene in central Palma. Meanwhile, one Majorcan resident revealed a new, more insidious tactic deployed by locals to keep tourists out of popular beaches. Explaining the trick in a video online, she said locals are making up names for "secret" coves that are actually "dangerous" parts of the city located miles away from the coast. 6 Protests against overtourism have erupted across Spain since April 2024 Credit: Reuters 6 Demonstrators gather during an anti-tourist protest in Barcelona Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Exact July date not to fly to or from Majorca as striking hotel workers unveil plans for devastating airport blockade
HOTEL workers are planning to blockade Majorca's airport in a major protest over pay and conditions that could throw holidays into chaos. It comes as over 180,000 workers in the Advertisement 6 Hotel workers are planning a blockade on Majorca's airport on the first day of strikes Credit: Alamy 6 People march during a protest against overtourism in the Balearic Island of Majorca Credit: AP 6 Hotel workers in the Balearics earn less than the average hospitality worker in Spain Credit: Rex Unions say the goal of the airport blockade is to prevent entry and access points to the Balearics, which include The blockade is scheduled for July 10 - the first day of the Balearics' anti-tourism strikes. Walkouts will be repeated on July 18, 19, 25 and 31, with each one lasting the full 24 hours. A general strike in the hospitality sector, along with demonstrations across the Balearics' three main islands, was officially announced by the UGT union on Monday. Advertisement Read more world news The measure - carried out jointly with the CCOO union (Workers' Commissions) - will affect hotels, tourist accommodation, bars, restaurants, catering services, nightclubs and nightclubs. Both the Government Delegation and tourism bosses are reportedly aware of the looming strikes and protests. On July 10, marches in Majorca will begin at the Paseo Marítimo de Palma (at the height of Titos) and the Son Sant Joan Airport. Access points for arrivals and departures at Playa de Palma (Las Maravillas), Alcudia, Magaluf and Cala Millor will be blocked. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The UGT is calling on nearly 180,000 workers to join these strikes. The goal is to put pressure on the hospitality sector to improve pay and working conditions. 6 Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Workers in the Balearics are paid less than the average hospitality worker in Spain, according to the CCOO. Advertisement The strike alert was triggered on June 26 after unions walked out of talks over disagreements on pay raises and better working conditions. The UGT rejected an offer for an 11 percent salary increase, saying the gap between their demands and the employers' proposal was still "too great". José García Relucio, General Secretary of the Federation of Services, Mobility and Consumption of UGT, said the talks "could not have gone worse" and condemned employers' inflexibility around pay. Meanwhile, Javier Vich, President of the Hotel Business Federation of Majorca, blamed unions for failing to meet a compromise. Advertisement But he added that employers were making "all the necessary efforts" to reach a "fair" agreement with workers. The union CCOO says that it will not sign below a 15 percent wage increase. Employers also rejected the UGT's proposal to reduce workers' hours to 35 per week. The UGT representatives left the meeting without signing the minutes of the session, while those from the CCOO signed the document. Advertisement It comes as the streets of Majorca have seen a number of In June, anti-tourist Officers were called to the scene in central Palma. Meanwhile, one Majorcan resident Advertisement Explaining the trick in a video online, she said locals are making up names for "secret" coves that are actually "dangerous" parts of the city located miles away from the coast. 6 Protests against overtourism have erupted across Spain since April 2024 Credit: Reuters 6 Demonstrators gather during an anti-tourist protest in Barcelona Credit: Reuters What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations
Glasgow Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow travellers face chaos at popular holiday spots
Strikes have been confirmed for 180,000 hospitality workers throughout July on multiple Spanish islands. The Sun reported that hotels, restaurants, and clubs on the Balearic Islands will be hit by the walkouts, which are expected to cause chaos for thousands of British holidaymakers. The islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca will be affected by the strike action. Walkouts were confirmed on June 26 after union bosses marched out of a meeting about pay and working conditions, calling hospitality bosses' offer of an 11 per cent pay rise 'insufficient'. READ MORE: Glasgow travellers heading to South America warned of muggings READ MORE: Glasgow travellers face summer chaos amid strikes in Spain It is understood that talks about reducing the working week to 35 hours were also shut down when employers said they 'categorically' rejected the proposal. Jose Garcia Relucio, UGT Union spokesman, said the offer was 'more crumbs' and claimed hotel bosses were expecting staff to live on tips. He told The Sun: 'We'd come here to negotiate to improve the conditions of service industry workers, not to worsen them.' Strikes will go ahead on the islands, unless a deal is struck, from July 10, with further walkouts taking place on July 18, 19, 25, and 31. Following the pay talks, Javier Vich, President of the Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca, blamed union bosses for failing to reach a compromise. He claimed employers were making an effort to 'reach a fair' agreement for workers.
