Tourists go home

Islanders' fury as tourism pushes up property prices

- ADAM ASPINALL

THE leader of a protest group that rallied 25,000 islanders in Majorca to demonstrate against over-tourism has vowed the demos will go on throughout the summer.

Holidaymakers were shocked by the march in capital Palma last month.

Angry protesters brandished banners demanding "Tourists go home" after Javier Barbero posted a "Not for sale" video calling for action to stop the rising house prices caused by tourism.

We tracked Javier, a 51-year-old care worker, down to Sencelles, a town in the centre of Majorca.

He said he had been stunned by the impact his video had, as it struck a nerve with locals fed-up of mass tourism and rampaging Brits in resorts like Magaluf.

Another demo is planned for June 16 in Palma, with plans being discussed for protests across the Balearic Islands Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera - on July 21.

Javier warned the protests, would not stop until action was taken to help local people.

He said: "We're not going anywhere until we get what we want.

"If that means the economy will take a hit in the short term, I think it's a price worth paying for the long-term future of the people who live here.

"Protests will continue until our demands are met." Protesters blame tourists for inflating property prices and driving up the cost of living.