With protests against mass tourism in Mallorca and the Balearic and Canary Islands in general snowballing, TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel says TUI is looking for other Mediterranean destinations and less crowded countries to expand, including Egypt, Turkey and alternatives, like Algeria.
He said TUI had “reached capacity limits in the Balearics, including Ibiza, and is now looking at alternative destinations to expand”.
TUI is set to transfer a record number of around two million tourists to the Balearic Islands this year’s tourist season, an increase of 5% on last year.
Speaking about activists against mass tourism, Mr. Ebel told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: “To put it bluntly, the main targets of the complaints are Airbnb and similar platforms.”
He clarified that these protests are not against tourism per se, but rather a call for responsible tourism that benefits locals economically.
TUI’s decision comes as thousands of Mallorcans take to the streets to demand an end to relentless tourism, warning of more protests.
“This is only the beginning of developments,” warn leaders of the movements behind the protests.
In a bold move, the group called Mallorca Platja Tour has launched an online campaign urging locals to reclaim their golden sands by occupying the island’s beaches with a warm-up event this Saturday. While, a large demonstration is set for June 16.
