Hotel industry leaders in Mallorca have responded to recent anti-tourism demonstrations by erecting approximately twenty billboards across the island featuring welcoming messages in English and German.

The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) launched the initiative to express gratitude to visitors and highlight tourism's economic significance.

The campaign emerges following a series of protests where residents demanded holidaymakers leave, with some activists using water pistols against British tourists.

Local demonstrators have blamed holiday rentals for exacerbating housing affordability issues.

The Balearic Islands, comprising Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, received 15.3 million international visitors last year.

Activists threatened to create difficulties for British holidaymakers during peak summer months, prompting the hotel federation's counter-campaign.

Federation president Javier Vich condemned what he termed a "radical minority" attempting to undermine decades of tourism-dependent livelihoods.

"We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life," he stated.

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Anti-tourist protests have erupted across various regions of Spain

Vich emphasised that tourism sustains 235,000 monthly salaries during peak season across various sectors, including transport, hospitality, catering, culture and leisure.

He rejected the notion that the industry should bear responsibility for broader societal issues.

"Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community," Vich declared. The federation leader stressed the need to recognise tourism's value, asserting that "Mallorca has been, is and must continue to be a hospitable land."

Vich cautioned that Spain faces potential booking declines as British holidaymakers increasingly choose alternative destinations.

REUTERS | Many locals are demanding the end of 'touristification'

He highlighted that Greece and Turkey actively court tourists, whilst Morocco has experienced a recent surge in visitor numbers despite historically struggling to attract significant tourism.

The federation president warned about growing competition from these destinations, which he described as welcoming tourists "with a red carpet".

Residents have organised multiple demonstrations, including one last month, expressing frustration about housing costs and the transformation of their communities into tourist-dominated spaces.

Sandra Laurie, a British expatriate residing in Spain for nine years, maintains that tourists should not be deterred by the protests.

Speaking to The Mirror, she emphasised that numerous local enterprises depend on international visitors for their livelihood.

"Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world," Laurie stated.

She encouraged those with planned trips to proceed, noting that popular areas remain vibrant and welcoming.

Laurie described Costa del Sol and other tourist destinations as bustling with activity, where beaches attract crowds and towns pulse with energy.

She observed that both residents and visitors continue enjoying Spain's offerings together.

However, she acknowledged that considerate behaviour remains essential for tourists seeking a warm reception in the country.