Dear tourists: Do not come

Majorca’s locals speak out against overtourism, housing crises, and a way of life under threat

Mar 25, 2025

In a bold and emotionally charged open letter, Majorcan campaign groups have issued an urgent plea to tourists: DO NOT COME. The message, driven by local frustration over the impacts of overtourism, signals a shift from polite resistance to direct confrontation. Joana Maria Estrany Vallespir, a leading voice in the movement and member of SOS Residents, explains the toll tourism has taken on the island’s environment, infrastructure, housing, and culture. With a record-breaking 20 million tourists expected in 2025, locals feel their quality of life is under siege—and they are no longer willing to stay silent.

Key takeaways

Tourist fatigue turns into direct resistance: An open letter from Majorcan groups, including SOS Residents, urges tourists to stay away, declaring “You are the source of our problem.”
Unsustainable growth: Majorca’s population has surged by 32% in two decades, with tourism blamed for driving housing shortages, overcrowded infrastructure, and environmental strain.
New policies fall short: Measures like the new Sustainable Tourism Tax are seen as symbolic, failing to tackle the core issue – too many tourists.
Seasonality isn’t helping: Spreading tourism across the year hasn’t eased pressure; instead, it’s created year-round saturation.
It’s not just about British tourists: The issue isn’t nationality but mass tourism. Richer tourists may worsen inequality by inflating property prices and deepening the social divide.
Locals are being pushed out: With rising living costs and speculative property purchases, many locals are living in caravans or leaving the island altogether.
Complex solutions, high stakes: Campaigners call for tourist caps, curbs on foreign property investment, and higher flight costs—but acknowledge these solutions come with economic trade-offs.
Mounting tensions: While not openly supporting protest actions like spraying tourists with water pistols, Joana Maria understands the anger: “People are fed up.”
A line has been drawn: With millions more visitors on the way, Majorcans are no longer asking nicely – they’re demanding change.