'We've holidayed in Majorca for 20 years - but anti-tourism abuse at kids was final straw'

A parent has vowed not to holiday with their family in Majorca again after their daughter was told to "go home" by a local. The parent said they, their husband, children and grandchildren have holidayed on the Mediterranean island for 20 years, but won't be returning.

In a letter published by the Majorca Daily Bulletin website, the parent recalled how their daughter and her son-in-law were stopped by a "female" in a car near their hotel.

The driver asked where the couple were from and when they replied the UK the female shouted, "tourists go home", before the car sped off.

Majorca Daily Bulletin doesn't name the letter writer, who said: "This was extremely distressing. Our daughter is pregnant and had been so excited her baby was on its 'first visit to Majorca'."

News of the reported abuse comes amid tensions between tourists and locals in holiday hotspots who complain of soaring house prices, traffic congestion, environmental degradation and poor pay rates in the tourism industry.

The letter writer said: "[W]e have been very saddened by the anti-tourism demonstrations we have read about."

They added: "Although I accept the issue of high rents and housing shortages for local people it should also be pointed out that visits such as ours help to boost the economy and employment.

"I am afraid after returning home and reflecting on the event and with very heavy hearts we feel inclined to find a new destination to visit in the future. We no longer feel welcome on the beautiful island of Majorca."

Spain has seen numerous protests against tourism this summer, with one widely reported action seeing locals squirt water at diners in Barcelona in July.

Despite the spate of protests, millions of Brits visited Spain this summer, with 10.9 million tourists heading to the country's holiday hotspots in July alone, according to The Independent.

Spain's tourist office has claimed overtourism protests have been "heavily inflated" by the British media.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Tourist Office told the same publication the protests have been "largely isolated, peaceful and self-contained".

They said there was a lack of "perspective and proportion" on the part of the UK media, with protesters targeting issues and policies rather than tourists themselves.

In a statement quoted by The Independent, the Spanish Tourist Office said: "We support the right to peaceful protest, but we would also like to reassure visitors that these protests have not posed any threat or danger to tourists.

"Travel to Spain is safe, and visitors continue to be welcomed with the same level of hospitality that our country is known for."