IBIZA becomes the latest Spanish holidaymaker hotspot to demand an end to 'mass ... trends now
Residents living on the Spanish party island of Ibiza are set to become the latest to join in with the growing anti-tourism protests around the country.
An activist group by the name of Prou Eivissa (Enough Ibiza) is calling on residents to take to the streets on May 24 and protest for restrictions on tourism to the island.
This comes after similar protests have been seen in other popular destinations, such as Tenerife, where angry locals even went on hunger strike to voice their anger.
In Menorca, graffiti has sprung up on walls telling tourists to 'go home', while in Marbella last year, tyres on cars with British number plates were even slashed.
A spokeswoman for Prou Eivissa said the group was 'in no way against British tourism' but that it was fighting against the 'type of tourism attracted to our island'.
Residents living on the Spanish party island of Ibiza are set to become the latest to join in with the growing anti-tourism protests around the country. Pictured: Partygoers in Ibiza (file photo)
The Mediterranean island, along with its sister island Formentera to its south, see millions of tourists visit every year
'We are in no way against British tourism, on the contrary,' Xaquelina Ana Perry said.
'We welcome anybody who wants to enjoy our local culture, gastronomy, local traditions, beautiful beaches and covers.
'We are only against the massification of the type of tourism attracted to our island. The island is saturated, especially with illegal renting and our 572 square kilometres cannot take anymore,' she added.
The Mediterranean island, along with its sister island Formentera to its south, sees millions of tourists visit every year.
Although it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and despite officials working to promote the island as a family-friendly destination, it is primarily known for its nightlife and the electronic dance music club scene in the summer.
As a result, it has often struggled with its image, and has developed a reputation for drug use and dealing across the island catering to the party tourism.
In a statement, Prou Eivissa said it was advocating for 'a sustainable balanced future for the well-being and growth of the local people in unison with a type of tourism which wishes to respect and enjoy the diversities of this beautiful island.'
In order to achieve this, the activists are calling on the Balearic Island's officials to introduce a law that limits vehicle entries, as well as a set of measures that ensure 'the maintenance of the tourist moratorium, incentives for hoteliers to reduce capacity, [...] protect residents and crack down on illegal renting.'
'We consider it essential to achieve a balance between residents and tourists, and therefore we believe that the legitimate expression of the people of Ibiza can guarantee a sustainable future for all,' the statement added.
'We urge families, youths, adults or anyone who appreciates a respectful life and wishes to be treated with respect, to come and make their presence felt so that the authorities truly feel the pressure that makes us say: Ibiza cannot take anymore!'
A man greets people on a hunger strike during a demonstration for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024
Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island, on April 20
It remains to be seen whether officials on the island will take notice.
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