Rental car tires have been deliberately damaged in a recent protest against tourism in Spain. The mayor of a tourist town in Majorca, Artà, expressed concern over the series of anti-tourist acts in the area. Artà, known for its serene environment and scenic beauty, has witnessed protests marked by graffiti and vandalism, including slashed rental car tires and anti-tourist slogans painted on walls. The local Civil Guard has been informed of the incidents, impacting multiple rental vehicles.
Mayor Manolo Galán of Artà denounced the vandalism directed at tourism, emphasizing that while disagreements exist, such actions are unjustifiable. Protests against overtourism have been on the rise in Spain post the pandemic lockdown. In August 2025, Spain saw a surge in international visitors, with 11.3 million arrivals, a 2.9% increase from the previous year. The influx continued in July, with a record-breaking 11 million foreign tourists, a 1.6% rise from the previous year.
The total number of tourists in August and July reached 22.3 million, surpassing the 2024 figure of 21.8 million for the same period. Spain welcomed nearly 66.8 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2025, a 3.9% increase from the previous year. To address the impact on locals, the Spanish government announced the conversion of 53,000 tourist flats to permanent rentals in September 2024.
Additionally, measures have been implemented to address excessive behavior, such as stricter controls on drinking and party boats in the Balearic Islands and plans in Barcelona to phase out short-term tourist apartments by 2028, returning properties to the long-term rental market.
