When Hazel Morgan reached her destination,
Ibiza
from Britain 50 years ago, she found a tolerant and peaceful island where she wanted to raise her children.
Today the 80-year-old ecologist will be one of the thousands of demonstrators expected to take to Ibiza’s streets in protest against the “touristification” of Europe’s cities.
The action marks the first co-ordinated protests over the detrimental effects of rampant tourism on local communities, from rising rents to an unaffordable increases in the cost of living.
A number of organisations will hold protests in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France on Sunday, while campaign groups plan to march through Ibiza Town to call for a solution to the housing crisis, the preservation of the local environment and better working conditions.
It follows a series of anti-tourism protests that have swept across Spain in the past year, most recently in Barcelona, the Canary Islands and Madrid.
Activist organizations intend to organize a procession through Ibiza Town today aiming to demand resolutions for the housing crisis, protection of the local environment, and improved labor conditions.
“We have no issue with the tourists themselves, but we do oppose the government for allowing this situation to occur. This needs to be clearly stated,” Ms Morgan said.
The i Paper
.
Ibiza has seen
slum areas, mobile home parks, and campgrounds
emerged recently as locals find it difficult to cover increasing rental costs partly due to the impact of the tourism sector.
“Approximately three years ago, when people began residing in caravans, the situation escalated into a full-blown crisis,” stated Ms. Morgan, a member of Friends of the Earth.
“Tourism has taken over the local economies and it dominates everything for the residents of these places. Tourism is ruining our lives and the environment and the infrastructure.”.
It shows no sign of abating. Tourism is expected to drive a 3.2 per cent growth in the economy of the Balearic Islands this year, according to a recent report by BBVA bank.
Ms Morgan believes tourism as a whole is destroying the fabric of Ibiza. Doctors, soldiers, police and other essential workers cannot afford to work on the Balearic Islands because the cost of housing takes up a large portion of their income, she said.
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The Ibiza residents living in shanty towns who blame tourism
Around the shantytowns of Ibiza, there are no sewage systems, whereas the “ultra-wealthy” live in luxurious villas and consume substantial resources, as stated by Ms. Morgan. She also mentioned, “During the summer season, the island has ten tourists for each resident.”
We reside in the countryside and aren’t hooked up to the municipal water system. A water tanker might come around once per month. The tankers stop at several homes where they often have to make five rounds daily. This situation shouldn’t occur on an island.
Ms. Morgan thinks that either the number of tourists going to Ibiza should be restricted, or there should be limits on how much landlords can charge.
The ecologist, who hails from Surrey but relocated to Ibiza after residing in both Greece and the U.S., stated that TikTok creators and Instagram influencers have spoiled valuable coves like s’Era des Mataret as well.
There are many inherently protected zones,” Ms. Morgan stated. “A large number of people flock to the coastline to admire the sunset. These places have deteriorated significantly due to high visitor numbers.
Social media bears significant responsibility for this issue. Individuals visit an island believed to possess mystical qualities primarily to snap a selfie. Influencers and platforms like Instagram often lead to the degradation of these locations as people flock there just to get a photo.
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