Latest news with #MajorcaPlatjaTour
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists on Spanish island sent to fake beaches in 'dirty' ploy by fed-up locals
The latest strategy consists of inventing names of "secret" coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast Fed-up locals in a Spanish holiday resort are trying to fool holidaymakers into going to fake beaches. The protesters are waging a "dirty tricks" campaign to try and fool holidaymakers in the midst of the row over tourism congestion. They are inventing fake beaches on the Balearic island of Majorca, which has been targeted by a string of protests and demonstrations since last summer. The latest strategy consists of inventing names of "secret" coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast. These false names are usually the same as those in popular areas in the capital of Palma. In a video explaining the ploy, a young local woman said: "These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid. If you want to avoid getting scammed, look up the location online before you go. If you find a lot of information, it's a real beach. If not, avoid going." The practice, which some justify as a way to protect the island's natural areas, is fuelling an intense debate about the impact of tourism. Some of the beaches being promoted but which don't exist include Son Gotleu, Son Roca and Son Banya Korea. The scam is the latest in a series of tricks organised by mass tourism protesters who have previously resorted to putting up fake signs saying a particular beach or access road has been closed or is for locals only. Last week, the platform "Majorca Platja Tour" announced the first "symbolic occupation" of a beach this summer amid calls for residents-only beaches. "Prepare your towels, umbrellas and banners because we will be making a new symbolic occupation on a beach in Mallorca," the campaigners announced in a statement. The protests will echo those of last summer carried out at Platja de Palma, one of the best beaches in the capital, and Caló des Moro, a stunning beach located in the south-east of Mallorca featuring 40 metres of fine-grained sand surrounded by cliffs. The protestors say beaches in Mallorca are so packed with tourists that locals avoid going in the summer. They want holidaymakers either banned from certain beaches or for areas to be designated for local residents only and not tourists. "What used to be a corner of peace becomes a theme park," they claim. They say the beach at Platja de Palma is a prime example: "There is no area that better represents the overcrowded Mallorca than this one." For this reason, they are demanding that parts of the beach are kept just for residents, or that residents are given preferential access to them. The group highlighted the Municipality of Ameglia in North East Italy, where 60% of the beaches are kept for local residents. Road routes to many beaches in Majorca are frequently clogged with traffic during the high season, with hundreds of cars parked on sandbanks.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit tourists in Majorca now being sent to ‘dangerous' FAKE BEACHES as protesters ramp-up war on holidaymakers
BRITISH holidaymakers in Majorca are now being sent to "dangerous" fake beaches as the war on tourists intensifies. The "dirty" scam comes as anti-tourism protests ramp up across the country, with raging locals swarming restaurants and occupying beaches. 7 Residents across Europe have protested with signs bearing slogans like 'As you come I have to go' Credit: Reuters 7 Widespread anti-tourism protests have erupted across Spain in the last year Credit: Reuters 7 Police officers have been deployed to manage the protests Credit: AP 7 One protester was recently caught wielding an axe, while others jeered "Tourists go Home". But now, one resident has revealed a new, more insidious tactic being deployed by locals to keep tourists out. Explaining the trick in a video posted 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. The strategy, she said, consists of inventing locations that resemble real areas to trick tourists away from popular beaches. She warned: "These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid. "If you want to avoid getting scammed, look up the location online before you go. "If you find a lot of information, it's a real beach. If not, avoid going." Some have justified the practice as a means of protecting the island's natural areas and have accused the woman of "discrediting her own land". While others have called the trick "dirty" and argue mass tourism is a systemic problem which needs to be resolved by those in power. The scam comes just a year after locals reportedly put up fake closure signs around beaches and roads to prevent tourists from entering. The separately organised protests, which took place more than 850 miles apart, showed the depth and breadth of the campaigns targeting tourists. A protest group called Caterva was behind the fake beach closures in Manacor in eastern Majorca. The fed-up group put up red tape and signs at several coves saying "Beach Closed". They included the secluded white-sand cove Cala Varques and a "hidden" cove renowned for snorkelling called Cala Petita. Caterva said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: 'New action by Caterva in Manacor. We closed coves for residents' use and rest. Let's change course and prioritise life. "We believe the tourist is part of the machinery and has responsibility for the situation we suffer." 'But the main people responsible are those who own the hotel chains and construction companies and real estate firms. 'They're the ones we should be pointing our fingers at.' It also follows last week's announcement by protest movement, the Majorca Platja Tour, of a planned "beach occupation" later this summer. Brits vow to defy anti-tourism zealots after 1000s of sunbeds across Majorca were scrapped The group said: "Prepare your towels, umbrellas and banners because we will be making a new symbolic occupation on a beach in Mallorca," Anti-tourist demonstrators have already barricaded a beach in Ibiza with boulders. Pere Joan is the spokesperson and organiser for Menys Turisme Més Vida - meaning "Less Tourism, More Life". He previously told the Mirror: "We hope to do the same and occupy the beaches in places that have a mass of tourists." Last year, MTMV massed together up to 40,000 people to stick it to the tourists. The campaigner said: "We are demanding from local government to put restrictions on outsiders buying housing. We want taxes on empty houses. "We want control of illegal Airbnbs. One of our demands is to decrease the number of planes that come to Majorca." They claimed that Brits are the source of their "serious" problems, damaging "quality of life" and fuelling environmental degradation. Pere explained why he felt tourism was at the root of the issue. He said: "The demands of mass tourism mean the consumption of water, energy, food and land, something which limits Majorca. 7 A closure sign put up to discourage tourists 7 People march during a protest against overtourism in the Balearic island of Mallorca Credit: AP 7 This fake sign was seen in a bid to prevent crowded beaches Credit: Solarpix "The other problem is the housing. The prices have increased so much. Many local people leave the city and go to some towns that are cheaper to live and rent." Several protest groups penned an open letter setting out their grievances. The letter read: "ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. "DO NOT COME." It said the problems have been made worse by "greed and avarice" of hoteliers, politicians, real estate investors, and "parasites' of all kinds". But Brits have pushed back - pointing out that the local economy depends on income from the tourism that is being attacked. One Brit who has owned a holiday villa on Mallorca for over 30 years wrote to Majorca Daily Bulletin: "It's sad British people are no longer welcome, even though over the years we've ploughed a lot into the island's economy. "The inhabitants there ought to stop and think what will happen to their economy when people like us stop going?
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Tourists could be banned from Spanish beaches locals say are now 'theme parks'
Majorca Platja Tour has announced plans for protests targeting beaches in Spain, warning that some seaside areas have become like 'theme parks' due to the crowds Brits heading for Majorca this summer face being "confined" to beaches as protesters call for resident-only spots. Majorca Platja Tour has announced the first "symbolic occupation" of a beach in Spain this summer, in a bid to preserve the area's most beautiful coastal destinations from being overrun by tourists. "Prepare your towels, umbrellas and banners, because we will be making a new symbolic occupation on a beach in Majorca," announced the movement. A date for the protest has not been announced. The protests will echo those of last summer, carried out at Platja de Palma—one of the best beaches in the capital—and Caló des Moro, a stunning beach located in the southeast of Majorca, featuring 40 metres of fine-grained sand surrounded by cliffs. The protesters say beaches in Majorca are so packed with tourists that locals avoid them in the summer. They want holidaymakers either banned from certain beaches or for areas to be designated for local residents only, not tourists. The movement demands that the citizens of the islands be able to enjoy the beaches in summer—a situation that, according to critics, is currently impossible because the beaches are overcrowded. "What used to be a corner of peace becomes a theme park," they claim. They say the beach at Platja de Palma is a prime example: "There is no area that better represents the overcrowded Majorca than this one." The campaigners are calling for a census or registry to be introduced so that only certain people can access beaches at certain times. Mallorca Platja Tour has called on neighbourhood, cultural, and environmental associations—as well as political parties "committed to Mallorca"—to join the initiative. "There is nothing more Majorcan than spending a day on the beaches," they said in a statement. The group highlighted the Municipality of Ameglia in North East Italy, where 60% of the beaches are kept for local residents. Ameglia Emanuele Cadeddu, despite mayor of the Italian region, said in 2020: "We do not want to give up tourism, which is the basis of our economic fabric. Doing so would mean closing or putting in difficulty the countless activities present in our area, but we expect maximum respect for the rules both from our fellow citizens, to whom we will reserve and guarantee an adequate number of spaces in the amount of 60 percent of the beaches, and from the tourists who will arrive in the Ameglia area'. READ MORE: Hotel insider's warning as she explains why you should never use free toiletries Road routes to many beaches in Majorca are frequently clogged with traffic during the high season, with hundreds of cars parked on sandbanks. Majorca is in the grip of mass tourism protests, with large crowds of placard-wearing campaigners taking to the streets earlier this month. The Balearic Islands have received more than 4.3 million international passengers between January and May of this year, representing an increase of 4.8% compared to the same period last year, according to data published on Wednesday by Turespaña. Bookings have slumped in parts of Majorca in recent months. The Alcudia and Can Picafort hoteliers association has sounded the alarm that bookings on the island are down on last year, especially among travellers from Germany, their principal markets. Bar and restaurant takings were down by between 15 and 20 percent compared to last year, which is a significant blow for an industry already struggling. The president of the Association, Pablo Riera-Marsa, said: "We are seeing how the German market, traditionally our number one market, is the one that has slowed down the most. In addition, we are detecting that this season, last-minute bookings are once again becoming more popular, with tourists waiting for special offers and promotions before making their purchase decisions."
