Protests in Mallorca - enough to put you off?

[Vopik]

Friends have found a nice air BnB in Mallorca. But given everything that is going on there with protests I would feel very uncomfortable. Dh is saying that I need to let it go but what’s the point of spending money if I will be feeling like my presence is unwanted.

I read somewhere that there are airport blockades planned for the summer holidays.
No thanks.

It was closer than that - 51.89% voted to leave, which supports your point even more.

I have a lot of sympathy with the Mallorcans, I do think there needs to be tighter controls on holiday lets, so that local people have a chance of living in the area, rather than living in their cars in the area !

Just got back today and everyone we met was super welcoming and friendly. No sign of any protests!

Which Mallorcans? The ones that want tourists and dont want to see them deterred, or the ones who dont?

Which ones should we have solidarity with?

In Mallorca at the moment and it's as wonderful as always. No signs of protests and everyone as lovely and welcoming as usual 😊

A protest happened on a particular beach where influencers go and have made popular- this was in Spanish Newspaper not just British. The signs are definitely anti tourist but written in English and German. The locals feel sidelined and annoyed that they aren’t able to access their own beach. I live in Brighton and I’m wondering what fouls happen if we stood on the beaches with signs telling people to go home.

Air BNBs owned by foreign investment companies are actually ruining Brighton and Hove and I think there should be a law like Copenhagen that you have to be a resident for 5 years before you buy.

I wouldn’t worry. It’s a minority of people. I recall there was a drive a couple of weeks ago for Mallorcans to convene on the beach at the weekend to show those damn tourists they weren’t wanted, by taking all the beds/space on the beach. Then a picture was shown - hardly anyone turned up, and there was a very small group of Majorcan’s spread out on a small patch of sand. Embarrassing….

It's interesting I came back last week after 8 days and was talking to a German agent in a cafe- she primarily does long term lets to anyone but the Spanish simply because as she says they are notorious for not paying the rent - if you go on idealista ( which is the Spanish equivalent of right move) the number of houses you can't actually view that are for sale is ridiculous - and they are right to the point that it's due to squatters or people who no longer have a license. I do get that it's awful for locals but it's kind of a catch 22 for property owners too if this practice is commonplace

The European Union not Europe. Highly intelligent response 🙄🙄

We were in Mallorca last week...didn't see any protests in Palma or anywhere else.

I assume you meant the EU.

You just wanted to keep the benefits. Turned out not so great. UK in a nutshell as the rest of Europe sees it now. Benefits and mh country.

It is true.

Not to mention travellers/gypsies.

Go somewhere else, it’s a big wide world and plenty of places would welcome your hard earned!

Howling! 🤣

Re the squatters, it's no wonder most Spanish properties have iron grilles on windows and iron gates on the doors. I read somewhere that it's an insurance requirement also.

I have heard that it is almost impossible to remove non paying and/ or anti social tenants. Maybe if the Spanish Government had a fast track eviction process, there might be more property available for long term rent by locals, who in turn would be evicted quickly under certain circumstances. It can take a year or more to get tenants out at the moment. Some owners are using ahem, less than "legal" methods to get their properties back. I often wonder do Spanish owners have the same problems as non resident owners, maybe they do, I don't know.

It's a beautiful island that has sadly been over commercialised and now has a reputation for cheap flights, cheap AI hotels and too many students/18 to 30 type holiday makers. But that's no different to any other holiday destination. Cheap travel will be the ruin of the climate and ruin of the tourism trade

You're quite right, holidays abroad are not for the oiks, Skegness is fine for them

I doubt it will be the locals who buy it

Maybe if the Spanish Government had a fast track eviction process, there might be more property available for long term rent by locals, who in turn would be evicted quickly under certain circumstances. I

Instead they've gone in the opposite direction. Instead of being able to remove squatters without going to court in the first 48 hours, they've shortened it to 24.

They've got a rental crises because you'd quite frankly need to be insane to let your property out long term there. You tenants can stop paying rent and you'll be the one in trouble if you don't fund their utilities. No wonder everyone prefers to do holiday lets.

We’re back and forth there a lot. Going again this week.
We have natives who are our friends: gorgeous and welcoming people. We’ve experienced no issues but then we are in a very non tourist area ( which we love and I deliberately keep secret )

Chill. It will be fine op.

We have just come back from 2 weeks and stayed in various spots. No signs of any protests and we were very warmly welcomed. Far more welcoming than Cornwall last summer!

Leave the European Union not Europe, we cant leave Europe we live in Europe 🙄

We're going next month and all this press is starting to worry me.