Locals briefly occupy Mallorca party beach to protest mass tourism

Some 100 locals in Mallorca on Sunday occupied an infamous party beach to protest against the millions of tourists that descend on the Spanish island every summer.

"We want to remind people, even if only for a few hours, that the beach belongs to all Mallorcans," activist Eloy told the Diario de Mallorca newspaper.

The protest took place on the Playa de Palma beach in an area popular with German tourists and known to them as the Ballermann.

The activist said the tourists understood their demands.

"The action is not directed against them, but against the tourism model," said Eloy.

Locals in Mallorca and other parts of Spain popular with holidaymakers have been protesting against mass tourism for months.

Tens of thousands of people joined separate rallies held in Palma de Mallorca in May and June to protest the effects of mass tourism, including the rising cost of living and a lack of affordable housing.

While the protests have been peaceful so far, graffiti slogans including "Kill a tourist" have surfaced in Mallorca recently, according to local media.