Anti-tourism protests won't keep me away from Mallorca

Like the holidaymaker laying down his beach towel at the crack of dawn, protests against overtourism in Mallorca have started even before the summer season has got going.

- RICHARD CHAPMAN

Banyalbufar, an unspoilt village nestled in a picturesque bay that has panoramic views across the Mediterranean and is popular with Richard Branson (he owns Son Bunyola, the “secluded luxury” spa resort), has this week announced an extraordinary water ban.

From next week, the region’s taps will be turned off between 11pm and 4pm the next day, in a bid to mitigate the impact from the tourists who, no pun intended, will soon be flooding onto the island. One assumes that it will send a crystal-clear message to those thinking of visiting this summer: sorry, you’re not welcome.

For decades, Mallorca has been synonymous with brilliant white-sand beaches and occasionally raucous nightlife, and residents have had enough. They want their island back – and will occupy their beaches if they must.

More than 10 million visitors a year have brought gridlock to the roads, eaten into precious resources (as well as the struggle to supply the island with drinking water, it is almost entirely dependent on the import of food), and prevented the economy from diversifying away from mass tourism.