As the sun rose over Costa Blanca every summer morning, thousands of tourists descended upon the beaches. But on Sunday, a different kind of commotion erupted on the sands of Barraca Cove, also known as Portixol Cove, near the bustling resort town of Javea and Benidorm. A group of activists from the organization Garrot unfurled a massive banner that read “Go home” in bright red letters, sending a clear message to the holidaymakers lounging on the beach or soaking up the sun in the sea. The banner was specifically addressed to English-speaking visitors, with a local Valencian language message above it that read “Stop Touristification.”
Garrot has been vocal in its opposition to mass tourism, citing concerns about overcrowding and difficulties accessing affordable housing. As the group sees it, the relentless influx of tourists is transforming the region into a tourist-only zone, squeezing out local residents and businesses. The protest was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the usual tourist activities and grab the attention of visitors, hotel operators, and local authorities. The organization is not alone in its fight against mass tourism. Residents of a Menorcan village, known as the “Spanish Mykonos,” recently rejected a proposed tourist ban, but not without a significant divide. Three out of every ten homeowners favored a permanent prohibition.
Thousands March Against Overwhelming Tourist Presence on Costa Blanca
The village’s decision to ban tourists came after the COVID-19 pandemic brought a surge in visitors to Menorca, which, in turn, led to problems with overcrowding, noise pollution, and disruptions to residents’ daily routines. To address these concerns, the community established restrictions on visitor access, limiting streets to specific hours and implementing an entry fee. However, a compromise was eventually reached, with a new visiting timetable and no entry charge.
This latest protest is part of a growing movement against mass tourism in the Balearic Islands, which has seen thousands of people taking to the streets in major demonstrations in Palma, the capital of Majorca. Other smaller protests have taken place in Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, and other parts of the region. Similar actions have also been witnessed in the Canary Islands, Alicante, and Malaga. As the debate over mass tourism continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how local authorities will respond to the growing dissatisfaction of residents and how widespread this movement will become. One thing is certain, however – the issue of tourism will be a major topic of discussion in the coming months and years.
