Fury in Majorca as locals rage at tourists - 'residents must always come first!'

Residents of Majorca are voicing growing frustration over overcrowded buses, as public transport struggles to keep pace with both local demand and the island's booming tourist numbers. Buses - especially those on routes linking major tourist areas with Palma and the airport - have been operating at full capacity, particularly during peak summer months. This has been driven in part by a free travel initiative for local residents. While the scheme is intended to encourage public transport use, it has inadvertently created packed buses, with passengers often forced to stand for long stretches.

Rafael Roig, president of the Balearic Transport Federation, has called for better management of tourist flows to reduce pressure on the system, stating that "residential demand must always come first". A strong defender of the Balearic Government's sustainability pact for the future tourism model, Mr Roig said: "We need to cushion and regulate the influx of tourists. If it's better regulated and planned, the impact would be less, society would experience it with less pressure, and businesses could provide better, more efficient service. We must prioritise the wellbeing of those of us who live here, but without closing the door to those who visit and feed us."

"This balance involves better management of the impact of tourism when it can be so concentrated, [for example] flights arriving at the same time, cruises coinciding on a single day," he added, reported the Majorca Daily Bulletin. "We must adapt to the market, create higher value-added products, extend the season and try to maintain competitive prices without sacrificing quality.

"And always balance this with the wellbeing of residents, without forgetting that tourism is the main economic driver."

The situation has been compounded by unrest during the summer. In July, drivers from TIB (Transport de les Illes Balears) launched a strike over unresolved disputes, including calls for higher pay and improved working conditions. The strike caused significant disruptions, forcing many routes to operate at reduced capacity or be cancelled altogether.

A resolution later in the month provided drivers with salary increases and better working conditions, but the chaos highlighted ongoing challenges within the Balearic Island's public transport sector.

Mr Roig admitted that the 2025 summer season has been weaker than last year's, "but it cannot be described as bad".

"A decline in the German market has been noticeable," he added. "This affected July and August, but June and September performed well."

He also agreed with previously reported statements that Majorca's most vital market has been suffering from lower tourist spending, citing several factors behind the crisis.

"The tourists are still arriving but are spending more cautiously. Added to this are rising prices in the Balearics," he said. "This means that much of their budget is used up before using the complementary supply. Traveller behaviour has also changed. More and more tourists are travelling independently, they are cutting back on leisure and dining spending. There is a profile of tourist who comes with the intention of consuming just the right amount: the so-called diesel tourist."