Mallorca in tourism stress: luxury tourists are overloading the island!

Mallorca in tourism stress: luxury tourists are overloading the island!

The Balearic island of Mallorca is not only very popular with German vacationers, but is also increasingly attracting Americans. This highlights the changing landscape of tourism, which has developed significantly in recent years. There are now four direct flights per week from New York to Mallorca, which is further stimulating interest in the island. With this increased demand, Mallorca is increasingly becoming a hotspot for luxury tourism. According to a recent study, there are around 70 five-star hotels on the island, and the trend is upwards daserste.de reported.

The downside of this boom, however, is the immense water consumption that comes with this tourism. Celso Garcia, a geography professor, has studied the water consumption of tourism in Mallorca. He found that tourists on Playa de Palma consume 280 to 320 liters of water every day. Luxury tourists in Palma even need up to 2,500 liters of water per day, although these high numbers are mainly due to the swimming pools and gardens of the luxury accommodations. These developments contribute to a feeling of overload, both in terms of the island's natural resources and infrastructure.

Infrastructure overload

The continuous increase in tourists means that the tourist season has extended from three to four months initially to now eight months. This has led to a host of complaints among local residents who face traffic problems and crowded beaches. In addition, there are ongoing demonstrations against mass and luxury tourism, aimed at raising awareness of the challenges facing Mallorca.

Some locals are even calling for a return to the textile industry in order to become less dependent on the fluctuations in tourism. These considerations underline the inner conflict that many residents feel: Tourism not only brings economic profit, but also makes everyday life on site more difficult. Aida, a young designer, won first prize at the Mallorca Design Day and describes tourism as a dilemma. He brings with him both customers and challenges that put a strain on life on the island.

Economic dependence

In 2024, around 13 million tourists visited Mallorca, a number that exceeds the number of visitors before the Corona crisis. The island is experiencing a real tourism boom, but the problems that come with it are evident. Mallorca is suffering from the consequences of ongoing tourism, but at the same time is heavily dependent on it economically. This complex situation requires a comprehensive discussion about how the island can find a balance between economic growth and maintaining its quality of life. Further information on the challenges and prospects of tourism in Mallorca can be found in a comprehensive study published on unipub.uni-graz.at is available.