Latest news with #Majorcan
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Mastermind of furious anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits unmasked as boy, 16, inspired by Greta Thunberg
THE mastermind behind anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits has been unmasked as a 16-year-old boy inspired by Greta Thunberg. Mass anti-tourism demonstrators began to erupt across Spain last year, amid concerns holidaymakers were driving rising costs and job insecurity. 7 Jaume Pujol is slowly becoming the fresh face of the anti-tourist movement Credit: Twitter 7 Jaume staged a protest impacting tourists on a bus last week 7 He said he is inspired by Greta Thunberg Credit: EPA 7 One protester seen wielding an axe in Palma last weekend Credit: Solarpix Using Greta Thungburg as his inspiration, he confessed, Jaume Pujol is slowly becoming the fresh face of the movement - despite only just finishing the Spanish equivalent of GCSEs. Last weekend, anti-tourist protests swept across holiday hotspot towns and cities from the Balearic and Canary Islands to northern Spain, Portugal and Italy. They were organised and executed by the Southern European Network Against Tourism. In Palma on Sunday afternoon, anti-tourist demonstrators swarmed a table of dining Brits and chanted "go home" and "go to hell". One protester was even caught wielding an axe amid the deafening jeers. Jaume was in Palma on this day, being an organiser of the Majorcan group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida. Last Saturday he gave a live YouTube commentary as he and his fellow protesters stopped a sightseeing bus, hung banners over it and set off yellow smoke-bombs as terrified passengers watched on in horror. And on Sunday, Jaume stood on a platform to read out the group's three-page "manifesto". He said as thousands of supporters cheered: "The tourism model, whether luxury or mass, chokes us year after year, grabs economic and residential resources, destroys the territory, exploits the working class, contributes to climate crisis, and shatters our communities." He added how young people couldn't afford to live on their own island anymore due to foreigners buying properties. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Jaume's interest in protesting began at a young age when his trade unionist granddad took him on marches. And while his parents are "proud," Jaume revealed to Diario de Mallorca how they're also scared for him. He said: "I've received death threats, and they painted 'We're going to kill you' on the door of my school." As tourists continue to fear of chaos unravelling on their holidays with protests, Jaume told the Daily Mail that they have nothing to fear as he and his comrades' actions are directed towards the Balearic Islands' government. The march in Palma followed a similar string of incidents in Barcelona, where an anti-tourist mob surrounded a hotel and shot at holidaymakers with water pistols. Congregating outside the hotel, the group launched flares and held placards claiming tourism was robbing them of their futures. Staff at a nearby hotel were seen trying to break up the crowds and shouting at protesters to move away. Police stepped in before protesters could reach the famous tourist hot-spot la Sagrada Familia, avoiding potential clashes between holidaymakers and locals. Shouts of 'Tourists Go Home' and 'One More Tourist, One Less Local' could be heard as activists marched through the streets. They were also heard shouting: 'This tourism is terrorism.' City police said only 600 people had taken part, far less than the 8,000 who took part in the protest in Palma. Other marches took place in the Basque city of San Sebastian, several cities in Italy and in Lisbon as part of a co-ordinated series of street protests in southern Europe. What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations 7 Tourists enjoying a meal in the town centre were struck with loud chants Credit: Reuters 7 Demonstrators used water pistols during a protest against mass tourism in Barcelona Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mastermind of furious anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits unmasked as boy, 16, inspired by Greta Thunberg
THE mastermind behind anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits has been unmasked as a 16-year-old boy inspired by Greta Thunberg. Mass began to erupt across last year, amid concerns holidaymakers were driving rising costs and job insecurity. Advertisement 7 Jaume Pujol is slowly becoming the fresh face of the anti-tourist movement Credit: Twitter 7 Jaume staged a protest impacting tourists on a bus last week 7 He said he is inspired by Greta Thunberg Credit: EPA 7 One protester seen wielding an axe in Palma last weekend Credit: Solarpix Using Greta Thungburg as his inspiration, he confessed, Jaume Pujol is slowly becoming the fresh face of the movement - despite only just finishing the Spanish equivalent of GCSEs. Last weekend, anti-tourist protests swept across holiday hotspot towns and cities from the Balearic and Canary Islands to northern Spain, Portugal and Italy. They were organised and executed by the Southern European Network Against Tourism. In Palma on Sunday afternoon, Advertisement read more news One protester was even caught wielding an axe amid the deafening jeers. Jaume was in Palma on this day, being an organiser of the Majorcan group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida. Last Saturday he gave a live YouTube commentary as he and his fellow protesters horror . And on Sunday, Jaume stood on a platform to read out the group's three-page "manifesto". Advertisement Most read in The Sun He said as thousands of supporters cheered: "The tourism model, whether luxury or mass, chokes us year after year, grabs economic and residential resources, destroys the territory, exploits the working class, contributes to climate crisis, and shatters our communities." He added how young people couldn't afford to live on their own island anymore due to foreigners buying properties. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Jaume's interest in protesting began at a young age when his trade unionist granddad took him on marches. And while his parents are "proud," Jaume revealed to Advertisement He said: "I've received death threats, and they painted 'We're going to kill you' on the door of my school." As tourists continue to fear of chaos unravelling on their holidays with protests, Jaume told the The march in Palma followed a similar string of incidents in Congregating outside the hotel, the group launched flares and held placards claiming tourism was robbing them of their futures. Advertisement Staff at a nearby hotel were seen trying to break up the crowds and shouting at protesters to move away. Police stepped in before protesters could reach the famous tourist hot-spot la Sagrada Familia, avoiding potential clashes between holidaymakers and locals. Shouts of 'Tourists Go Home' and 'One More Tourist, One Less Local' could be heard as activists marched through the streets. They were also heard shouting: 'This tourism is terrorism.' Advertisement City police said only 600 people had taken part, far less than the 8,000 who took part in the protest in Palma. Other marches took place in the Basque city of San Sebastian, several cities in Italy and in Lisbon as part of a co-ordinated series of street protests in southern Europe. What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations 7 Tourists enjoying a meal in the town centre were struck with loud chants Credit: Reuters 7 Demonstrators used water pistols during a protest against mass tourism in Barcelona Credit: Reuters Advertisement 7 People were caught spraying tourists eating meals Credit: Mega Agency
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourist rages 'I'll break your f*****g balls' as locals applaud police
A "drunken" Irish tourist who was arrested on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca on Wednesday was bundled into the back of a police car after threatening to kick her arresting officer 'in the f*****g balls'. The 25-year-old could be heard screaming: 'If you break my watch I'll break your f*****g balls' as she was pinned to the patrol car and her hands brought behind her back. A split-second later she lashed out backwards with her right foot as she aimed a violent kick towards the testicles of the officer cuffing her. Local shopkeepers and other shocked bystanders watching the dramatic scene broke into a spontaneous round of applause as the out-of-control tourist was forced into the back seat of the police car. The arrest occurred on Wednesday evening in the east coast Majorcan resort of s'Illot in the municipality of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar near to the Love Island villa where filming is currently going on. Local officials said about the female holidaymaker's arrest in a statement, describing her as a 25-year-old Irish passport holder: 'The local Sant Llorenc des Cardassar police have arrested a woman for allegedly assaulting pedestrians, disturbing public order and causing damage to a police vehicle.' They added: 'Officers arrested the woman, a 25-year-old Irishwoman, on Wednesday evening after she was involved in acts of extreme aggressiveness in public in the tourist resort of s'Illot. 'Things began with an alert that a woman, who was apparently drunk and very upset, was causing disturbances inside a restaurant and assaulting customers. When officers arrived, they found the woman in the middle of the street, insulting and blocking pedestrians for no apparent reason. 'During their intervention, she displayed an extremely violent and defiant attitude, even assaulting the officers, who had to reduce her and proceed to arrest her for alleged crimes of gross disobedience, resistance and assaulting police. During the transfer to the police station, the detainee managed to put her hands in front of her and started to hit the glass of the police vehicle partition screen hard, causing visible damage to it. 'Officers were forced to immobilize her to avoid further damage or possible injury. Once at the police station, the woman continued with a hostile attitude, which led to medical emergency services being activated. Finally, she had to be sedated by a medical team due to the risk she posed to herself and to the police officers.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists hit with €750 fines for buying illegal souvenirs in Spanish hotspot
Palma Police have begun to impose fines on people who buy products from illegal street sellers in the Majorca holiday hotspot, in a bid to stop the sale of counterfeit items Holidaymakers eager to score a discount could find themselves slapped with a hefty fine. Knock-off sunglasses sellers and fake handbag hoikers have long been a fixture of tourist destinations in Spain. Despite being illegal, police have struggled to clamp down on the trade. If you've ever been to central Barcelona, then you will have seen the impressive speed with which towels laden with budget goodies are folded up and whisked away whenever a police officer nears. Now a police force in Spain have decided to put pressure on the buyers as well as the sellers, to see if that has an impact. Palma Police have begun to impose fines on people who buy products from illegal street sellers. In one case, eleven sunglasses were seized from the seller as evidence of illegal vending, while the buyer was fined for "making a purchase from an unlicensed street vendor on the public way", Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. The police have not said whether the person fined was a tourist or a resident. Police received new powers to arrest buyers at the end of May. The town hall of the Majorcan city has launched an information campaign to warn both residents and tourists about the risks of purchasing products from unauthorised vendors. The police force has said that this type of trade harms legal establishments and can result in a financial penalty for the buyer. Sellers are subject to fines of between €750 and €1,500 (£641 to £1,282). For buyers the range is €100 to €750 (£85 to £640). UK sunseekers may want to brush up on Spanish regulations before heading to the country this year, given how much local authorities there seem to love a fine. Organising "unauthorised gatherings" could see Brits forking out as much as €750 for blasting tunes too loudly. In places like Valencia, setting up unapproved tents or shelters might land you a fine ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. Spain's beaches are increasingly becoming smoke-free areas, with lighting up potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, while sipping a drink on the sands or promenade could set you back between €1,501 and €3,000. Caught with a tipple in public? You could be coughing up to €3,000. Majorcan hotspots such as Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf have even curtailed alcohol sales from 9:30pm to 8am and clamped down on happy hour promotions. For those who throw loud parties without permission, a €750 fine awaits, and Valencia's crackdown includes hefty charges of up to €3,000 for unsanctioned tent pitching. Many beaches have now become smoke-free zones, with a ciggie potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, and penalties for boozing on the beach or promenade ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. READ MORE: Brits avoid Spain after protests and warn 'we won't go if we're not wanted' Spain has also put a cap on daily visitors at certain beaches in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Platja d'Aro, in Costa Brava, has announced fines up to €1,500 for appearing in public "with clothing representing human genitals" in a crackdown on stag and hen dos from Blighty. The bylaw specifically bans people from appearing "on the public thoroughfare without clothing or only in their underwear or with clothing or accessories representing human genitals or with dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature". There's also new information required for those wanting to book digs or hire motors. Information gathered by hotel owners, private rental providers and car hire companies will now be passed on to the Spanish Ministry of Interior to bolster the country's national security.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits heading to Spain warned they could face £2,500 for beach 'error'
Spain has introduced a number of new regulations for tourists this summer, with fines of up to £2,500 for those who make 'one drinking error' Brits jetting off to Spain could be hit with hefty fines of up to £2,500 if they fall foul of the country's strict drinking laws this summer. As the holiday season approaches, travel experts are warning UK sunseekers to brush up on Spanish regulations or face penalties. Organising "unauthorised gatherings" could see Brits forking out as much as €750 for blasting tunes too loudly. In places like Valencia, setting up unapproved tents or shelters might land you a fine ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. Spain's beaches are increasingly becoming smoke-free areas, with lighting up potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, while sipping a drink on the sands or promenade could set you back between €1,501 and €3,000. The Spanish authorities have tightened the rules on public alcohol consumption, banning it on streets, parks, and beaches, reports the Express. Caught with a tipple in public? You could be coughing up to €3,000. Majorcan hotspots such as Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf have even curtailed alcohol sales from 9:30pm to 8am and clamped down on happy hour promotions. For those who throw loud parties without permission, a €750 fine awaits, and Valencia's crackdown includes hefty charges of up to €3,000 for unsanctioned tent pitching. Many beaches have now become smoke-free zones, with a fag potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, and penalties for boozing on the beach or promenade ranging from €1,501 to €3,000. Spain has also put a cap on daily visitors at certain beaches in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Platja d'Aro, in Costa Brava, has announced fines up to €1,500 for appearing in public "with clothing representing human genitals" in a crackdown on stag and hen dos from Blighty. The bylaw specifically bans people from appearing "on the public thoroughfare without clothing or only in their underwear or with clothing or accessories representing human genitals or with dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature". There's also new information required for those wanting to book digs or hire motors. Information gathered by hotel owners, private rental providers and car hire companies will now be passed on to the Spanish Ministry of Interior to bolster the country's national security. Visitors will now have to provide their: Gender Nationality Date of birth Home address Landline phone number Mobile phone number Payment details and method Relationship to any children in the travelling party under the age of 14. Chris Harrington, Managing Director at travel experts hoppa, said: 'Spain is introducing a wave of new travel regulations in 2025, following record-breaking visitor numbers. These new regulations have been put in place to manage mass tourism and public behaviour, and are extremely important to follow.' "Failure to comply with new regulations can lead to holidaymakers being slapped with hundreds of euros, with more serious offences potentially incurring fines between €1,500 and €3,000. "To help holiday makers enjoy their jolly without facing any unwanted charges, we've compiled a list of the 4 regulations you should be aware of." Chris added: "Spain is an incredibly popular tourist destination for British holidaymakers. But it's more important than ever to be mindful and respectful when holidaying. "By travelling with awareness of the local culture and regulations, you can contribute to a positive travel experience for yourself and others. Before travelling, it is a good idea to check the Spanish tourism board and ensure that you are abiding by the rules of the municipality you are visiting."
