Rental car tires were intentionally damaged during a recent protest against tourism in Spain. The mayor of a popular tourist town in Majorca, Artà, expressed concern over the anti-tourist acts that have recently occurred in the area. Artà, known for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere, has become a target for demonstrations, including graffiti on buildings and vehicles, and vandalism such as slashed rental car tires with messages like ‘Tourists go home’ seen in various locations.
Local authorities, including the Civil Guard, have been informed about the incidents, which have affected multiple rental cars. The mayor, Manolo Galán, disapproved of the vandalism against tourism, emphasizing that while different opinions exist regarding tourism saturation, such destructive actions are unacceptable.
Protests against overtourism in Spain have been on the rise since travel resumed post the COVID-19 pandemic. In August last year, the country welcomed 11.3 million international visitors, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This trend continued in July with a record-breaking 11 million foreign arrivals, a 1.6% rise year-on-year. The total number of tourists in August and July combined reached 22.3 million, surpassing the 2024 figure of 21.8 million for the same period.
Spain saw a significant increase in international tourists, with nearly 66.8 million visitors in the first eight months of 2025, representing a 3.9% surge compared to the previous year. In response to the impact of high tourist numbers on locals, the Spanish government announced measures last year to convert 53,000 tourist flats into permanent rentals to address irregularities in the housing market.
Efforts to mitigate the effects of mass tourism include stricter controls on drinking and party boats in the Balearic Islands and plans in Barcelona to phase out short-term tourist apartments by 2028, converting them back to long-term rental properties.