Spanish Activists Tell All Tourists to ‘Go Home’ Amid Surge in Anti-Tourism Protests

A group of activists staged a dramatic protest at a crowded Costa Blanca beach. They unfurled a massive banner urging tourists to “Go home.” The protest, aimed primarily at English-speaking visitors, occurred at Barraca Cove near Javea, a popular tourist spot near Benidorm.

The banner, emblazoned with the message in bright red capital letters, also included a statement in the local Valencian language reading “Aturem La Turistificació,” which translates to “Stop Touristification.” The protesters, part of a group called Garrot, also set off pink flares to ensure their message was seen by holidaymakers relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea. The banner was prominently displayed on rocks north of the cove, making it visible to all.

A spokeswoman for the group explained the timing of the protest, stating, “We did it on Sunday because it’s market day, and the main avenue is used as an arrival point by nearly all the tourists.” The same group previously organized a major anti-mass tourism demonstration in Palma, Majorca, which disrupted traffic in Alcudia in an unannounced action.

The Palma protest, held last month, was part of a broader campaign by Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, which translates to “Less Tourism, More Life.” The group also organized a large demonstration in Palma on July 21, attended by an estimated 15,000 people. The protest coincided with Spain’s Euros final victory, where demonstrators used banners to mock English tourists, labelling them “drunks” and displaying a sign featuring England footballer Kyle Walker with the caption, “The only thing coming home is you,” alongside the 2-1 scoreline from the match.

These protests reflect growing tensions in the Balearic Islands, where locals have expressed frustration over the impacts of mass tourism, including overcrowding and housing issues.

In Menorca, residents of the community Benibeca Vell, often called the “Spanish Mykonos,” recently voted to impose visiting restrictions on tourists, although they stopped short of a complete ban.

In a related protest on July 27, activists in Menorca filled a car park at Cala Turqueta, a picturesque beach, with residents’ cars, blocking access to tourists for six hours. The action was organized by the environmental group GOB Menorca, which formed the message “SOS Menorca” in the sand.

These demonstrations are part of a broader movement across popular Spanish tourist destinations, including the Canary Islands, Alicante, and Malaga, where anti-tourism sentiments have led to protests and even graffiti targeting visitors.