Anti-tourism protesters in Majorca WANTED by police for graffiti inciting hatred

Thousands participate in anti-tourism protest in Barcelona
GB NEWS
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 14/07/2025

- 12:19

The Spanish Government said that 'these acts do not go unpunished'

Anti-tourism protesters in Majorca are wanted by police for graffiti that incites hatred.

Spanish National Police are investigating the artwork that appeared on the Balearic tourism ministry building in Palma over the weekend.


Authorities are looking for members of the radical youth group who are allegedly responsible for the graffiti.

The group Arran, who have a history of anti-tourism actions, also posted a video showing images of hoteliers and politicians being burned, promoting an investigation into incitement to hatred.

Images of two hotel owners, Gabriel Escarrer and Simon Pedro Barceló, and politicians, including President Prohens, were set ablaze.

The graffiti, which was later removed, read: "We young people are not proud that our island has been sold out. We are fed up and ready to confront them."

It also referred to "those responsible for our misery", threatening tourists.

The Spanish Government said that "these acts do not go unpunished" and confirmed it filed a complaint with the police.

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Arran

Images of two hotel owners, Gabriel Escarrer and Simon Pedro Barceló, and politicians, including President Prohens, were set ablaze

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Tourism minister, Jaume Bauzà, said: "The government will always respect criticism and complaints from any sector, but will never tolerate such serious acts of vandalism that, in addition to damaging our common heritage, send a deeply unjust message against tourism."

Police suspect that several people were involved in the incitement.

Security camera footage in the tourism ministry area is being examined.

The group, which has previously set off flares by a restaurant on Palma's Moll Vell in protest, has links to a Catalan political party.

Mallorca protestors

A group of protesters during an anti-tourism protest in Palma de Mallorca in June

REUTERS

Anti-tourism protests, fuelled by concerns about over tourism and its impact on local life, frequently occur in Majorca.

Protesters targeted the island's reliance on tourism, citing issues like rising living costs, housing shortages and environmental strain.

These demonstrations, often involving marches and symbolic actions like using water pistols, are part of a broader trend of anti-tourism activism in Southern Europe.

The Balearic government has attempted to control the problem by introducing measures like increasing taxes on tourists and limiting the number of rental properties.

Demonstration against mass tourism in Palma de Mallorca

Spanish people attend a demonstration against mass tourism in Palma de Mallorca, in June

REUTERS

Last month, southern Europeans took to the streets to protest against the issue in the biggest coordinated anti-tourism protest in history.

The protests spanned Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Malaga, San Sebastián, Lisbon, Granada, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Milan and Venice.

The UK Government has warned Britons that political demonstrations, gatherings or marches can take place with little or no warning, particularly in cities.

It urges tourists that while most demonstrations are peaceful, they should follow the advice of police and local authorities.