“A threat of fire,” declare the public signs that are spotted on hilltops and in rural areas in Mhallarca.
A border outlining a cargo chip and a tree, featured on these signs signal the impending danger of fire – just a spark is enough for the entire area to be swallowed up by flames.
These notifications are placed by the Govern de les Illes Balears, the governing body of the Balearic Islands. It serves as a warning to residents, tourists, and the local community to be vigilant about the potential incineration threat in these Mediterranean territories.
Summers frequently witness temperatures soaring up to 35-40ºc. It’s plain to see that transforming the region into a blazing inferno would take hardly any effort.
However, along with the imminent danger of fire, another issue is currently stirring up discontent among the islanders. The surge in tourism has grown to be a point of disagreement in Mhallarca, mirroring the situation in other parts of Europe and beyond.
Each year, Mhallarca draws millions of international visitors, and it’s no wonder why. The tourism sector has seen considerable growth over the last five decades, leaving scarce any town untouched, particularly those located along the shoreline.
Nevertheless, not all travellers are after a beachfront kingdom or a poolside paradise, drawing in hikers, cycling enthusiasts and a variety of other tourists. The allure of picturesque small towns, ancient Roman ruins and other vestiges of a bygone era are well worth a visit, and let’s not forget the globally acclaimed countryside or pristine beaches. Mhallarca indeed is a captivating island.
This text explores the dense forestation adorning the elevated peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, known as the backbone of the island about 200km off the Spanish coast. This island, with a population of just 900,000, plays host to up to 20 million visitors each year, prompting queries about the sustainability of its tourism industry.
But what constitutes over-tourism and its repercussions?
Over-tourism is broadly defined by the surge of visitors to a location and its ensuing detrimental impact on both the environment and local people’s lives. It generally varies from region to region. This growing tourism demand, coupled with an increase in affluent visitors, frequently results in a spike in the cost of goods. This, and the unwelcome surge in noise and congestion in urban areas, greatly affects the locals. Furthermore, over-tourism adversely affects the climate and other environmental conditions. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) predicts that by 2030, carbon emissions will increase by 25% due to travel-related emissions fuelled by tourism.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Angelos Varvarousis, a scholar and city planner residing in Barcelona and Athens, expressed his view. He said that the problem isn’t solely with the number of tourists, but also points to how towns, regions, and even entire countries are transforming into tourism societies. This means every sector of their society: landscapes, economies, and their self-perception, are all being adapted to cater to the tourists and is a different form of colonialism.
Despite an unyielding influx of tourists to Mallarca, various groups like Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, and Mallorca Platja Tour are vigorously protesting and lobbying to address the associated issues. It is noteworthy that the groups are not against tourism per se, they object to the current model of tourism that exerts immense strain on local resources and services. This model impacts nearly every facet of life on the island, from infrastructural destruction to an augmented urban planning, which leads to housing shortages among several other issues. Hence, there is a growing call for a new tourism model that prioritises social rights and ecological rejuvenation.
The summer influx severely strains Mhallarca’s public utilities, exacerbating an ongoing housing crisis on the island. Provision of inexpensive accommodation has become a major concern for inhabitants. The local social issues are also intensified by the behaviour and allure of holidaymakers in destinations like Magaluf.
Startling measures are being taken by the younger generations to combat such social and economic issues. The initiative, staged in 2017 under the potent banner ‘Sense Lemits No Hi Ha Futur’ (Without Limits There Is No Future), has recently garnered global recognition following peaceful protests in Palma, the island’s capital. Increasingly, youngsters are joining the campaign, aiming to decrease mass tourism and alter the cultural perception of tourists. A Civil Society Conference on Tourism has been established to provide a platform for discussion and to propose fairer economic strategies.
The campaign also proposes an exclusive restriction on house buying for individuals who haven’t resided on the island for a minimum of five years. Furthermore, it addresses language rights; Mallarca, a self-governing region of Spain, primarily speaks Catalan in its various regional variations, such as Mallorquí and Menorquí. These dialects establish a unique linguistic identity that should be preserved. Yet, some feel this identity is threatened, citing instances where only English menus were available in eateries in Sollér, a charming coastal town.
Tourism, an essential component of the local economy, is also under scrutiny. As per the Irish Tourism Federation, the industry provides jobs for 254,000 individuals and accounts for €5.3 billion in foreign visitor expenditure. Much like its counterpart, Ireland faces similar challenges in the face of an ever-growing tourism industry such as high living costs and a dearth of affordable housing. Despite these issues, though, active campaign against overtourism hasn’t been seen in Ireland.
The state of the language is indelibly influenced by a key strategic issue: The viability of the Gaeltacht, which pertains directly to the future prosperity of the Irish language. Yet, trouble looms on the horizon as Gaeltacht residents struggle to locate accommodation within their native territories. Consequently, many are forced to migrate, leading to a dilution in the number of Irish language speakers. The delicate balance tips unfavorably when less than two-thirds of a Gaeltacht community retains its Irish-speaking citizens, marking the language’s eradication as a collective medium of communication.
There’s a foreseen potential of escalating protests in Mallarca, and possibly further afield, provided this concern continues to go unresolved. However, with this year’s tourist season drawing to its inevitable close, the sun will soon bid adieu to Mallarca apartments and Irish vacation properties, leaving them desolate once again.
To add as an additional note: Tomorrow evening (the 13th day), at 7.30, at Coláiste na Rinne, the Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, has the honours of inaugurating the 28th edition of An Linn Bhuí: Iris Ghaeltacht na nDéise. This annual magazine, in circulation since 1997, features a broad variety of essays aiming to shed light on current events, the Déise history, and folklore.