Mallorca is undoubtedly one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. But how much is too much? A recent analysis by the Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) shows that the island is literally flooded with holidaymakers in the summer months - and some places are particularly affected. The Crowd of Mallorca vacationers is in the municipalities Santanyí, Capdepera, Alcúdia, Deià and Estellencs - measured by the number of inhabitants - is particularly large. But what does this mean in concrete terms for the island and its inhabitants?
Ratio of holidaymakers to residents: a look at the figures
Analysis of the cell phone data recorded by radio masts reveals that in some municipalities in Mallorca, the number of tourists exceeds the number of residents many times over. One particularly extreme example is the Tramuntana municipality Escorcawhich is connected to the pilgrimage site Lluc and the famous coastal section Sa Calobra is widely known. This municipality has just 194 inhabitants, but in June it recorded a ratio of 70:1 - meaning that there were around 70 tourists for every inhabitant.
Other places are also severely affected: In Santanyí 81,463 holidaymakers were registered in June, while only 12,480 residents are registered there. This means that there were around six times more tourists than locals in the municipality that month. Capdeperaknown for the coastal town Cala Ratjada, recorded 64,968 tourists with a population of 12,340. Even more impressive are the figures for Alcúdiawhere 102,153 vacationers met 21,322 inhabitants.
Another extreme example is the picturesque mountain village of Deiàwhich attracts many tourists with its narrow streets and historic buildings. In June, 3,524 holidaymakers were guests here, while only 675 people are listed in the population register. Estellencsa small village with 675 inhabitants, also had 2,277 tourists.
The "vacationer hotspots" in comparison
Interestingly, the classic tourist resorts in the southwest of the island, such as Peguera, Magaluf and Santa Ponça in the community Calviàdo not play a prominent role in these statistics. This is due to the fact that, although these places have many visitors, they also have a relatively high number of inhabitants. In June, 53,162 people lived in Calvià, while 239,743 holidaymakers were counted. Also in the Balearic capital Palma the ratio was more balanced: 423,350 inhabitants compared to 397,977 tourists.
Overtourism: A problem not only for Mallorca
A look at the statistics shows that Overtourism is not just a Mallorcan problem, but a phenomenon that can be observed in many popular destinations around the world. In a Spain-wide comparison, however, the density of holidaymakers on the Balearic Islands is particularly high: in June, exactly 2,072,816 tourists were counted, putting the archipelago ahead of Catalonia (2,030,748), Valencia (964,028), the Canary Islands (1,037,087) and Andalusia (1,332,819).
The debate about overtourism in Mallorca
The effects of mass tourism are being discussed particularly intensively on Mallorca this year. Overtourism not only leads to overcrowded beaches and tourist attractions, but also to rising rents and an increasing housing shortage for locals. Participants protested against these developments at two major demonstrations, and the Balearic government has set up working groups to develop solutions to these problems. Suggestions from the population are also to be taken into account.
Conclusion: An island at the limit?
Mallorca is more popular than ever as a tourist destination - but the downside of the tourism boom cannot be overlooked. While the island attracts many visitors who want to enjoy the Mediterranean flair and breathtaking scenery, solutions must be found to limit the impact on locals and the environment. The question of how much tourism Mallorca can cope with will continue to play a central role in the coming years.
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External resources:
- Further information on the population and tourist statistics in Mallorca: INE Statistics Spain
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