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On Saturday, December 28th, a rally will be held to protest against the growing tourism saturation affecting Menorca. In 2024, we have once again surpassed previous years in terms of tourist numbers, and the Consell Insular has announced a significant increase in tourism promotion.
Summer overcrowding is planned in winter. On December 28th, in Plaça Conquesta, Maó, at 10:30 AM, we will come together to demand a better future. Bring your friends and join us!
Reasons for the rally
Economic concerns
At the start of this century, the Balearic Islands ranked 46th in Europe for income per capita. By 2023, we had dropped to 148th place. Alarmingly, this decline has occurred despite the rapid rise in tourist numbers. What is going wrong?
2024 has once again broken records for tourist arrivals, continuing a worrying trend over recent years. According to various indicators, we are hosting three times more tourists than in the past while achieving poorer economic outcomes. Mass tourism is not economically sustainable for the local community.
Environmental concerns
Tourism saturation means a sharp increase in the number of people passing through the island each year. This creates higher demand for potable water, energy, waste collection, and sewage treatment.
In 2024, data from Ibestat revealed that for 43 days, there were over 200,000 people on Menorca. On August 10th, the peak reached 232,000 people.
This intense pressure results in systematic overcrowding of beaches, far exceeding their capacity. For instance, Cala Mitjana, where parking was expanded this year, saw eight times more visitors than its recommended limit.
Additionally, sewage treatment plants are overwhelmed by the increased volume, leading to serious environmental risks. Pushing beyond capacity threatens the island’s natural beauty and appeal.
Social concerns
The Balearic Islands have the highest housing purchase prices in Spain and the second-highest rental prices. Housing costs represent around 63% of the average salary.
Menorca has around 85,000 registered tourist beds, 30,000 of which are on vacation rentals (houses or apartments rented to tourists). This figure represents about 5,800 homes, plus thousands more rented without official registration.
Without proper regulation, new housing developments will likely also end up in the hands of wealthy foreign buyers or converted into vacation rentals. This dynamic is leaving an entire generation unable to plan their future. Without access to affordable housing, building a stable life becomes impossible.
Save the date: Saturday, December 28th, at 10:30 AM, in Plaça Conquesta, Maó. Let’s take a stand for a sustainable Menorca!