British holidaymakers in popular Spanish spot face chaos as protesters make renewed vow

An campaigner has told of plans to disrupt holidays this summer as groups continue to protest against the tourism industry. Pere Joan, a spokesperson and organiser for (Less Tourism, More Life), has spoken about how action will soon start to take place as the holiday season fast approaches.

Menys Turisme Més Vida have been one of the most prominent campaign groups in recent years, with protesters erupting across the continent. The organisation was one of 20 who signed an open letter this week calling for action to combat the impact of . Pere told : "Now things are going to start, as the tourists come. In , we are starting to have the same problems as last year. Our organisation is coordinating these protests. It is a platform with other local groups, that fight for ecological, for workers, for the houses."

have sprung up across Europe in recent years, as the tourism industry continues to fightback from the devastation of the covid-19 pandemic.

Issues such as strained public services, anti-social behaviour and increased property prices are all exasperated by large influxes of holidaymakers, campaigners claim.

Pere added: "The demands of mass tourism mean the consumption of water, energy, food and land, something which limits Majorca.

"The other problem is the housing. The prices have increased so much. Many people are now using their homes for tourism. Many foreign people buy houses in Majorca without restrictions. Many local people leave the city and go to some towns that are cheaper to live and rent."

Pere believes that, despite the backlash his organisation and others like them have received from international media and some within , there has been a positive reaction as result of their campaign.

He said: "With this kind of protests, we're getting something good because of the debate we create. When I was a child, no more than 15 years ago, when you go to some beach and some local markets it was different.

"Now many local markets are focused on tourists; in some spaces and specific beaches it is impossible to park the car or spend the day because it's full.

"Tourists are changing our lifestyles. Some people have been pushed out and live in caravans."

It is believed that campaign groups will take similar action to that seen a year ago, when beaches, hotels and popular tourist restaurants were targeted by protesters.