Residents of the village of Binibeca Vell on the Spanish island of Menorca have threatened to cut off access to the village due to the constant noise generated by visitors and the rubbish that accumulates daily.
“The problem is not tourists,” said Oscar Monge, leader of a group representing Binibeka Well’s 195 owners, blaming authorities who he said abandoned residents while they battled noise and litter. “Binibeka Well is not a place of adventure, but a private urbanization in which people live.”
It’s a debate that’s taking place across Spain, as well as across Europe, where residents are demanding a balance between local needs and increased tourist numbers.
Binibeka Well has become popular on social media as a white village by the sea, with visitor numbers increasing to around 800,000 a year, with the majority arriving between May and October, says website villages. “If the administration continues to leave us abandoned, we will hold a vote among the owners in August to find out whether we should close the project,” added Oscar Monge.
These threats began after years of complaints from residents. “They come into houses, sit on chairs, take things, climb our walls, have open-air parties,” a resident told the publication. El Diario.es, about the behavior of tourists. “If this is not regulated, this will happen every summer.”
Last year, residents began to tighten the situation, asking tourists to visit the village only at certain times, from 11:00 to 20:00. “We want to have breakfast peacefully on our terraces and sleep peacefully and without noise,” said Oscar Monge.
This request was posted on website village, which also asks tourists not to enter houses or climb onto balconies. This request is accompanied by several photographs of tourists on private property, serving as an example of what not to do.
The residents’ position is aggravated by the expiration of the agreement with the local authorities. Last year, residents received €15,000 for waste removal, and authorities pledged to improve the training of tourist guides visiting the area and reduce the amount of public transport in the area.
This agreement has not yet been extended, but a meeting is scheduled for the coming days. “To be honest, we are moving forward with little hope,” admits the leader of the ownership group.
Oscar Monge said closing the village was a last resort given the fact it could harm about 100 families in the region whose hotels, bars and shops depend on local tourism. “Of course, this is a difficult decision, but we are being pushed towards it,” he said. “From the coast it would still be possible to visit the perimeter of the village, but there would be no way to access the inner streets, and it’s the charming photo everyone wants for Instagram.”
Begona Mercadal, responsible for tourism for the Government of Menorca, talks to El Diario.es, confirmed that the village has the right to restrict visitors. “We are fully aware that this is private property and so if they want to close it, that is their right.”