We've had the anti-tourism protests, well they were apparently anti-government policy demonstrations, but that is not how the rest of the world perceived them, and now we have anti-Anglo Saxon protests. Fortunately, the anti-tourism movement appears to have calmed down. There was not much protesting in Mallorca last summer, just a few isolated stunts which didn’t really go down well with anyone. Did they hit bookings?
Judging by the tourist numbers no. Perhaps that is why they gave up or perhaps they suddenly realised who paid their wages. However, just as we got into the swing of the season to be merry, all hell broke loose over a Christmas market in Palma. I went to it last Saturday night and was impressed how well organised and entertaining it was. To be honest I found it refreshing compared to the rather dated usual festive markets around Palma.
But no, I was being too Anglo-Saxon according to members of the SOS Residents association. They staged a protest to complain about how Mallorca “is increasingly being invaded by foreign cultures”. They said that the stalls did not promote Mallorcan culture but showcased “Anglo-Saxon traditions”. Well if 50 percent of homes in the Tramuntana, for example, have been sold to foreigners and Mallorca is a leading global tourist destination, what exactly do they expect?