A ‘secret’ paradise beach in Mallorca has become a crowded hotspot after influencers promoted it online.
Caló des Moro, once a hidden gem, became overrun with tourists after Instagram users shared breathtaking images of its clear waters and stunning views.
In an effort to relieve crowded tourist spots, tourism officials last summer encouraged influencers to highlight less popular locations like Caló des Moro.
But, the strategy backfired, with viral posts luring swarms of holidaymakers to the once remote beach.
Footage shows sunseekers queueing just to access the sand, while piles of rubbish now litter the once-pristine shoreline.
In some clips, the beach is so packed that the ground is barely visible.
Numerous people hold influencers responsible for the situation at Caló des Moro. Over 1,300 TikToks feature the beach, gathering around 10 million views.
Meanwhile, Instagram currently has 30 associated hashtags.
Mayor Maria Pons last year revealed that up to 4,000 people and 1,200 vehicles were descending on the cove every day.
In response, local authorities removed all pictures promoting Calo des Moro from its official website.
A ‘secret’ paradise beach in Mallorca descended into chaos after influencers promoted it online
Footage shows sunseekers queueing just to access, while piles of rubbish now litter the once-pristine shoreline
Caló des Moro, once a secluded cove, a tourist-choked destination when Instagrammers posted images of its crystal clear waters and striking scenery
Frustrated locals voiced their outrage, with hundreds of campaigners storming the stunning spot and vowing to ‘reclaim’ it from holidaymakers.
In June, more than 300 protesters gathered at the cove, displaying a large banner across the beach that stated: ‘Let’s occupy our beaches.’
Others handed out flyers in a nearby parking area, written in English and German, informing visitors of their protest, which led to tourists turning away from the cove.
Video from the event shows a woman blocking the path to Caló des Moro, with a local urging tourists to leave by repeatedly shouting ‘go, go, go!’
Another man sporting long hair and tattoos is seen explaining to disgruntled holidaymakers that ‘tourists have taken over the beach… for one day, we’re going to enjoy it’, before gesturing at them to leave.
Ukrainian Kristina Vashchenko, 20, was forced to retreat along the craggy rocks leading down to the stunning bay after locals alerted each other to her presence by whistling.
Kristina, originally from Mariupol but now living in Germany, said: ‘I saw pictures on TikTok and wanted to come but we just realised that there are protests by people who live here.
Last summer, tourism officials encouraged content creators to visit lesser-known areas like Caló des Moro in a bid to ease pressure on busier island hotspots
Many are blaming influencers for ruining Caló des Moro. More than 1,300 TikToks about the beach have been posted, racking up an estimated 10 million views
‘So now we’re looking for another beach to go to.’It is a shame but I appreciate that we are guests on their island and they live here.
‘It will not be difficult to find another beautiful beach to go to.’
The impact of mass tourism on Caló des Moro sees six tonnes of sand disappear from the cove every three months – with 70kg disappearing in towels and footwear every day.
Locals say the cove, accessible by traversing down rocks and passing 120 steep steps, is used as a dumping ground by tourists who are too lazy to make the return journey with their possessions.
Spain was rocked by anti-tourism protests last summer, which saw tens of thousands of fed up locals filling streets across the country.
Anti-tourism campaigners have long been contesting the current tourism model, claiming that many locals have been priced out by holidaymakers, expats and foreign buyers.
Last year, Spain saw a record-breaking number of tourists, with over 15 million visitors flocking to the island of Mallorca alone.
In response, protestors took to the streets across Spain, leaving countless visitors fuming after paying hundreds of pounds to enjoy their holidays abroad.
Actions included marches on the street with protesters chanting ‘tourists go home’, as well as demonstrations on beaches which saw locals boo and jeer at sun-soaked tourists.
In one particular instance, up to 50,000 locals descended onto the streets of the Mallorca capital Palma.
Meanwhile in Barcelona, some 2,800 people marched along a waterfront district of Barcelona to demand a new economic model that would reduce the millions of tourists that visit every year.
Protesters carried signs reading ‘Barcelona is not for sale,’ and, ‘Tourists go home,’ before some used water guns on tourists eating outdoors at restaurants in popular tourist hotspots.
Chants of ‘Tourists out of our neighbourhood’ rang out as some stopped in front of the entrances to hotels.
