A stunning island beloved by millions of holidaymakers has been named the European destination where British tourists are made to feel least welcome.
The beautiful Balearic isle of Majorca was given a ‘hostility rating’ of 8/10 in a list of Europe’s most unwelcoming destinations for British tourists. It comes after huge protests in mainland Spain, which saw thousands of demonstrators march on La Rambla in Barcelona – holding placards that read things like “Tourism kills the city” and “Tourists out of our neighbourhoods.
Some protesters took things further – attacking tourists dining at restaurants on La Rambla with water pistols. However, pretty Majorca has seen similar protests on pretty much a weekly basis.
And the island topped The Telegraph‘s list of holiday destinations where British tourists are least wanted. It comes after, back in May, more than 10,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca to protest against tourism.
This was followed by “occupations” at St Rapita Beach and Caló des Moro cove in June, where protesters urged tourists to leave. More anti-tourisms protests are scheduled in Palma de Majorca later this month, on July 21 – just as schools break up in the UK and families will be jetting off for their summer hols.
Protest groups have discussed potentially blockading Palma Airport and surrounding roads. This could cause major disruption for tourists this summer.
Majorca’s Balearic neighbour Ibiza has also seen anti-tourism protests. Things have got so bad on The White Isle’ that some hospitality workers now live in their cars due to a lack of affordable accommodation.
However, Barcelona is the destination that The Telegraph believes is the next least welcoming for Brits. With a hostility rating of 7/10, the city has a long history of protests against over-tourism.
In 2017, a group of masked men attacked a tour bus – slashing its tyres and daubing the vehicle with graffiti. Tourists on board the bus said they feared they were being attacked by terrorists.
Amsterdam was given the same hostility rating by The Telegraph. However, it’s not just protest groups in the Dutch city making anti-tourism noises – they are also coming from official bodies.
Amsterdam’s municipal office has urged party-loving Brits to go elsewhere. In March last year its “Stay Away” online advertising campaign targeted British people looking to book stag dos or party weekends in Amsterdam.
Venice, in Italy, is slightly more welcoming according to the Telegraph, with a hostility rating of 6/10. Croatia’s historic coastal city, Split, was given the same rating.
When it comes to places where Brits might actually get service with a smile, The Telegraph recommended Provence in France and the Greek island of Corfu as places where the welcome remains as warm as the weather.