Every year, almost 800,000 travelers roam through the streets of Binibeca Vell, a small whitewashed town nicknamed “the Spanish Mykonos” for its similarity to the well-known Greek island which brings in substantial crowds of visitors.
For its 200 homeowners, “that is a lot” stated Oscar Monge, who runs a regional homeowners’ association and would like the town “to be calmer”.
Binibeca Vell, on Menorca island, rests on a little bay with shimmering blue-green waters, and the stunning town has actually ended up being a significant draw for visitors to Spain’s Mediterranean Balearic Isles.
A windfall for trip operators fast to promote the “fairy tale” attraction of this town, created by Catalan designer Francisco Barba Corsini, the crowds provide inflammation for residents required to tolerate the impolite behaviour of some visitors.
“Everybody wishes to come here to have their photo taken,” stated Monge, whose association represents property owners in this personal domestic neighborhood that was developed in 1972.
“We do not have anything versus tourist, however in some cases it seems like we’re residing in Disneyland Paris,” he sighed.
Behind him is an indication asking visitors to be “considerate” and “peaceful”.
“We have actually put these up all over… since some travelers stroll on the walls and climb to the roofs” or perhaps open doors and go inside the homes “to see who is living there”, he stated.
– ‘Unfavorable social element’ –
Citizens just recently chose to restrict access to their stunning streets, with visitors just enabled in between 11:00 am and 8:00 pm.
And on August 15, they will vote on whether to go even more and restriction visitors completely.
However the effort has actually raised argument.
“It’s excellent to restrict visitors in the evening. However if the town is completely closed, it will have an unfavorable impact on services,” stated Maria Neyla Ramirez, who runs El Patio area dining establishment and is wishing to see “a little versatility”.
And while numerous visitors comprehend, they likewise wish to keep coming.
“For individuals who live here, it’s unique. However that’s tourist… we like to see gorgeous things,” confesses Jean-Marie Bassut, 66, from southeastern France.
Monge firmly insists that it is possible to have a balance.
The town can’t have “busload after busload” of travelers being available in “with no sort of guideline,” he stated, hoping the constraints will raise awareness.
It’s not just Binibeca Vell that is impacted by overtourism. In 2015, a record 17.8 million individuals went to the Balearic Islands, both from Spain and abroad.
And the figures are anticipated to be even higher this year.
“The Balearic Isles have actually reached their limitation,” local leader Marga Prohens of the conservative Popular Celebration (PP) stated recently.
She stated the “unfavorable social effect” must be considered to make tourist “suitable with the homeowners’ lives”.
– ‘Not for sale’ –
At the end of Might, numerous million individuals struck the streets of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza — the 3 primary Balearic islands — to require actions to restrict overtourism under the motto: “Our islands are not for sale”.
Citizens indicate the sound levels, the blocked roadways and the contamination — however above all the influence on home costs, which have actually risen in the last few years as numerous houses have actually been changed into traveler lodging.
Confronted with growing regional exasperation, the authorities have actually taken a variety of actions.
Some towns in Mallorca and Ibiza have actually limited the sale of alcohol in stores after 9:30 pm, in addition to enforcing a restriction on drinking in the streets.
In Mallorca, the mayor of the island’s capital is likewise preparing to prohibit brand-new traveler lodging and restrict the arrival of cruise liner.
Ibiza likewise wishes to tighten up the guidelines for celebration boats.
The local federal government has actually established a committee of professionals to prepare a “roadmap” for the island chain in the hope of discovering some long-lasting options.
Although both legislators and residents feel some constraints are required, it will be a challenging balance to discover in an area that gets 45 percent of its earnings from tourist.
“We do desire travelers to come… and delight in the natural paradise we have here,” states Joaquin Quintana, 51, looking down at Binibeca’s calm waters.
“However it is essential to discover a balance.”
vab/mg/ds/rox