British tourists ‘booed and jeered’ in Majorca as Spanish rage at number of visitors | World | News

Tourists from Britain and elsewhere were subjected to hostile treatment while on the Spanish island of Majorca, according to reports.

The shocking incident reportedly occurred on May 25, when locals were alleged to have booed and jeered tourists as they were eating at a restaurant.

Protestors were also described as displaying umbrellas displaying the slogan “Ocupem Les Nostres Platges”, which translates to: “We occupy our beaches”.

However, the protest from locals provoked a furious response from regional government spokesman Antoni Costa.

He said: “But we have seen a certain type of behaviour in Barcelona which, as you can imagine, we didn’t like. We ask for the utmost respect for those who have decided not to demonstrate and urge those who do protest to do so peacefully and not interrupt other citizens and visitors.”

In recent years, anti-tourism protests have become increasingly common in major Spanish cities and in holiday hotspots on the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Jordi Hereu, a former Barcelona mayor, has also spoken out against anti-tourism protests.

He said: “I want to reaffirm the values of hospitality of Spain and the Spanish tourism model and one of its characteristics, which is security.”

Last week, locals in Barcelona sprayed visitors with water as part of their anti-tourism protests.

Locals in Spain’s cities are angry as tourists drive up living costs, especially for housing.

Other protestors held signs that read: “Tourists go home”; “Tourists out”; “Barcelona is not Disneyland”.

A spokesperson for Neighbourhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth told Sky News: “If anyone asked us, ‘should I come to Barcelona or better not?’ our answer would be ‘better not’.

“It hurts the city and its people and it’s not even worth it for you,”

The spokesperson added: “It’s true that many people depend on [tourism], but most of that money stays in the hands of a few rich [people].”