The Banc de Temps collective was set up some 14 years ago; it has always been a sort of self-help group. The video that appeared last Tuesday was designed to raise people's awareness about the housing problem. Among other messages was this: "We have to be aware of the consequences of selling houses to tourists, they raise rents and prices in restaurants, all this is driving us out of our land."
The protests in the Canaries a fortnight ago certainly did not go unnoticed in Mallorca. While it has been noted that there are differences between the Canaries and the Balearics - a higher rate of poverty in the Canaries, for instance - there are also great similarities, e.g. the dependence on tourism and the advance of the holiday rental. There are concerns that Mallorca could witness its own protests and social conflict.
The Sencelles video is proof of the fact that the housing problem doesn't only affect those with the least resources; it has become a middle-class issue as well. It is increasingly impossible to pay what is being demanded.
Colonia Sant Pere is a very different place to Sencelles. Originally one of the farming colonies established in Mallorca in the second half of the nineteenth century, it is a place long linked to tourism and one to have experienced its share of gentrification.
Oriol Ducable is a baker who is urgently looking for a home. His wife is the local librarian. They have four children. "Teleworking is the big problem. Young foreign couples come with their children and stay because it is paradise, receiving their salaries from northern Europe. There is nothing for less than 1,200 euros and they will only rent it out from October to May." Summer prices are stratospheric. "We are considering leaving the island. Next to my bakery there is an estate agency and foreigners keep going in to look at properties. You feel like a fool." In Colonia Sant Pere, a hundred houses valued at more than a million euros are being built.
Colonia Sant Pere is just one example. Vilafranca has been described as being like "the Palace of Versailles", such are some prices for rent. In Ses Salines, a property that cost 600 euros five years ago is now 1,900 euros. A resident notes: "On my street there are more German licence plates than Spanish ones."
Carme Reynés, one of the people behind the Banc de Temps video, says: "There are many middle-class people who are not going to inherit. In Sencelles there were 77 holiday rental homes in 2014. This year there are 165. The island is becoming a luxury resort. In Sencelles we have three estate agencies and there are no stores left. There are foreign cars - Ferrari, Tesla, Porsche. At one time we found them curious, now they only provoke anger."
Luis Alfonso Escudero Gómez, professor of Human Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands, says that a phenomenon in Formentera and Ibiza was transferred to Palma and now extends to the towns and villages of Mallorca. "Reactions on social media are not surprising. They are a consequence of tourist overcrowding that has been lengthened by climate change, with shorter winters."
The second homes of Europeans, tourist homes, boutique hotels and agrotourism have all affected residents of the island. In his opinion, "social demonstrations will become widespread". He foresees "a very serious social outbreak". "There will be a point of great social pressure and politicians will have to look for a solution."
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I think this is a terribly tough nut to crack, and frankly, I sense a bit of exaggeration in some of this. Let me explain; First, I live amongst Mallorquins. Have for decades. I know them. They're friends. Frankly, I don't know of one of them that's "struggling". All own properties (many own [have inherited] as many as 5 or 6), and/or live in properties supplied by the "family". Also, Mallorquins are unlike most of our northern European neighbours in that they are largely happy with a decent place to live, a car that runs, and decent food to eat. It's not a "consumer culture". They don't need to have "everything", and in fact, generally view those who need to show their wealth by having "everything" as rather "cheeky". If you need to show how well off you are, then you probably don't have it anyway. It's all relative. In most Northern European cities, 1200 per month in rent would be pretty cheap. In fact, Mallorca probably looks pretty attractive through a northern European (or American) lens. And I'd argue that along with the sun, sea, mountains and warm climate, good infrastructure, plenty of good restaurants, shops, supermarkets, shopping malls, and DIY and so on... that comparatively low cost of living would seem like the icing on the cake. In fact, foreign residents (and tourism) are increasingly putting money in Mallorquin's pockets, so it's a double-edged sword for them: On one hand, the cost of living does keep going up, and the crowds are getting untenable at times, and then there's the foreign troublemakers. But on the other hand, Raul's restaurant is constantly full of foreigners spending money, foreigners seem happy to spill out thousands without blinking at brother Miguel's construction firm and Tomeu's electrical and plumbing service, and Ignacio's solar power installation service, and Maria's fabric shop is inundated with foreign customers spending mucho dinero on custom made curtains and other home accessories ... to name a few examples. So, who's "struggling" here? Based on my experience, it's most likely those who've come here from elsewhere, to "viva la vida" but can't really afford it. There's an old saying: "If you want to be a millionaire in Mallorca, just bring 2 million with you". You certainly won't make a lot of money here as an "employee". Not like in northern Europe anyway. And it doesn't seem as if the Mallorquins are the ones "struggling". Perhaps it's more of an uncomfortable adjustment into the modern world? In any case, I doubt there's much anyone can do about it. They can try to curb tourism, but that won't end well (or won't have any effect at all). They can restrict foreign ownership, but that too won't end well. They can reduce the number of tourist accommodations, but that also won't end well. As soon as the money slows or stops, there will be trouble, from all sides. And they'll all blame each other. So, perhaps the only effective strategy is to continue to attract the big money, while discouraging those who will struggle to make ends meet? "Quality over Quantity"? But I certainly agree with one idea mentioned here: diversifying away from tourism. No, not limiting or eliminating tourism, but attracting new industries like high tech, clean energy (we already have one hydrogen fuel production plant here, which is currently struggling, but I think their time is coming soon). Jobs. Good paying jobs. That's what we need here. But then... it will attract even more from faraway... Fully leverage what you have, but be wise about it. Fight the battles you can win. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, especially if it's only for exaggerative political rhetoric, because in the long run, that won't change anything, except maybe get a few more votes in the next election, after which, they'll just do the same thing over and over again.
Banc de temps is leftwing related so probably all of them voted this mayor in Sencelles and that man is the main responsable for short term rent caos in village.
Rent controlled flats and apartments along with affordable housing is the only way to save the island before no one can afford to live there to serve to rich and needy.
Well we need to define who lives here ? And then try to define what is Affordable and then we need to see if we live in a Democracy or have we moved to a Communist mentality where everyone gets a place for free but who is everyone who is going to pay for this ? We all can’t take 5 days off when we want like Sanchez to think about our future not sure how that works , there is no free ride ! Also in Mallorca
So when is the local government going to start building affordable housing for locals? I read last week that they have delivered ZERO affordable houses since they go into power. Hey, let the market sort it out, isn't that their mantra!