Latest news with #ProGuíasMajorca
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Irish tourist mocks Brits as shares 'major' difference when he flies to Malaga
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A cheeky tourist has flaunted the special treatment Irish passport holders receive after touching down abroad. Comedian Peter Flanagan found himself breezing through a deserted queue at Malaga Airport, leaving UK citizens lined up for non-EU border control. Mocking the waiting Brits, he quipped: "The humble and brave country of Ireland. Look at that now, oh yeah, that's good, that's good." Since Britain left the EU in 2020 following the 2016 Brexit vote, Brits have had to join a different queue to enter EU nations. As part of Brexit, Brits lost their free movement privilege that EU members enjoy. In the comments section on his TikTok, one viewer noted: "Yes, UK passport holders will be able to use e-gates in the EU, following an agreement between the UK and the EU, though implementation will be phased in starting in October 2025." Another commented: "I showed my Irish passport to UK customs officer and he said at least you have a real passport!". A third remarked: "This is what we voted for. Some of us were educated and knew this kind of thing would happen and didn't vote for this." An additional comment from a user read: "We British people would rather spend an extra 10 minutes waiting for immigration than waste billions to support the EU bureaucracy." It comes after anti-tourism sentiment reached boiling point across Spain, with locals protesting against sky-high rents and a shortage of affordable housing for months on end. In a bold move to voice their frustration, some protesters have resorted to defacing heritage sites with explicit graffiti, including messages like "f***ing tourists" and "get out of our city." One of the historic buildings marred by vandals is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, a 14th-century edifice that serves as the official residence for the King and Queen during their visits to Majorca. Alongside the Cathedral of Palma, it stands as an iconic symbol of the Balearic Islands' capital. Other victims of the spray-paint attacks include the ancient stone walls near the 'Hort del Rei botanical gardens and Dalt Murada, a beautifully restored manor house. The vandalism has left thousands of tourists who flock to the area each year in utter disbelief, while local tour guides have openly expressed their outrage. Pro Guías Majorca, a tour guide company, has condemned the graffiti as a regrettable assault on Palma's cultural legacy, stating that "there are many ways to protest, as long as the forms are appropriate, and it is an inalienable right. But this is unforgivable." They argue that whoever is responsible for the damage is not only attacking the city but also undermining the very values that define their community. Meanwhile, residents, no strangers to frequent protests and marches against the surge in tourism, have taken to social media platforms to denounce the acts of vandalism. "I am against excess tourism but also against graffiti. One thing does not take away from the other," one person declared. Another voiced their opinion on social media, saying: "Now it turns out that Majorca's number one enemy is the tourist, without thinking that hundreds of thousands of people eat every day thanks to tourists. This should also be considered a hate crime."
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Daily Record
'Purposely petty' Barcelona local ruins tourists' holiday snaps at 'beautiful' landmark
It comes as tensions rise between locals and holidaymakers. A tourist has levelled an accusation against a Barcelona local for 'deliberately spoiling people's travel pictures' after they've shelled out hundreds to visit the stunning nation. Holidaymaker Kylie, who goes by @ on TikTok, revealed a 'downside' to venturing to the Spanish metropolis, a favourite among newlyweds. Her video captures her stood before Barcelona's Arc de Triomf with fellow tourists soaking up the scene. She draws attention to a chap planted squarely in the archway's centre, thwarting her attempts to snap the landmark minus his inclusion. She recounted: "We're at the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona and you know how they're been hating on tourists... I'm pretty sure this guy is standing here to purposely be in the way of people's photos," reports the Express. "He has been standing here for 10 minutes since we got here - not moving, he's not with anyone. He's 100 percent just standing here to be in the way of people's photos." Some users chimed in on her footage, backing the man's stance. One commentator remarked: "Yes, we in Europe's main cities are done with tourism. Our cities have been destroyed by tourism. The local economy suffers from it because local shops were replaced by tourists shops." Another stated: "I'm in Barcelona right now and honestly I don't blame him for peacefully protesting. I have seen some wild and disrespectful tourist behaviour." However, some observers felt the act was remarkably rude and petty. One commenter remarked: "Everyone should boycott Barcelona. It's not that great anyway unless you like having your pocket picked. Let them see how they get on without tourists for six months." Another countered: "Everyone's going other country's and Greece this year it's beautiful with friendly people that appreciate tourism, you can't have a tourism based economy and then complain about people choosing to visit." The controversy follows anti-mass tourism protests erupting across Spain. For months, locals have rallied against soaring rents and a scarcity of affordable housing. Protesters have gone as far as spray-painting explicit messages on their own heritage sites to express their outrage. Some messages have been translated to English, reading "f***ing tourists" and "get out of our city". One of the targeted buildings is the 14th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the official residence of the King and Queen during their stays in Majorca. It is a landmark in the capital of the Balearic Islands, alongside the Cathedral of Palma. Historic stone walls near the s'Hort del Rei botanical gardens and Dalt Murada, a stunning restored manor house, have also been vandalized. The area, visited by thousands of tourists, has left many shocked by the vicious messages, while some official tour guides have echoed the local anger. Pro Guías Majorca, a tour guide company, has expressed its dismay at the graffiti defacing Palma's heritage, stating that "there are many ways to protest, as long as the forms are appropriate, and it is an inalienable right. But this is unforgivable." They argue that the perpetrator "who has done this, is against himself and the values that constitute us as a community". Despite most visitors being unable to decipher the Catalan inscriptions, the bold red and blue anti-tourist messages are unmistakable and will incur a hefty bill for removal. Locals, now accustomed to frequent protests against over-tourism, have taken to social media to denounce the defacement. One local voiced their opinion online, saying, "I am against excess tourism but also against graffiti. One thing does not take away from the other,". Another resident highlighted the economic impact on social media: "Now it turns out that Majorca's number one enemy is the tourist, without thinking that hundreds of thousands of people eat every day thanks to tourists. This should also be considered a hate crime."
