Tourist hot spot faces housing revolt as locals demand cuts to vacation lodging

A business federation president in Mallorca is calling for a reduction in tourist accommodations to control crowding on the popular vacation island. The proposal includes limiting registered vacation rentals and cracking down on illegal ones, with some hotel operators potentially supporting the changes if incentivized. Mallorca is also exploring a strategy to attract fewer, higher-spending tourists, such as wealthy Americans, as local protests against the impact of tourism grow.

• Mallorca, a popular Spanish vacation island, is facing calls to limit tourist accommodations to reduce overcrowding.
• Jordi Mora, president of Pimem, proposes reducing the total number of tourist beds and taking stronger action against illegal rentals.
• The island received approximately 13.5 million visitors in 2025.
• Some smaller hotel operators may support accommodation reductions if implemented through consensus and incentives.
• Mallorca is shifting towards attracting fewer tourists who spend more money, aiming for ‘quality over quantity’.
• Protests against the growth of tourism have occurred, with demonstrators expressing concern about the impact on residents.
• Crowded tourist areas can also present opportunities for pickpocketing.