Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
PALMA de Mallorca has announced a ban on all new party boats and youth hostels, as well tourist rentals.
Palma’s clampdown on holiday rentals and tourist activities comes after growing concern about overtourism – for years the city has wrestled with surging visitor numbers and ‘illegal’ accommodations.
The rules will mean that no new tourist rentals or youth hostels are permitted in any part of Palma – the conversion of existing hostels will also be prohibited.
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The party boats that are popular among young tourists and often cause noise complaints by residents will also be banned.
This series of bans – as announced by Mayor Jamie Martinez Lllabres – aims to help the city to achieve a more sustainable tourism model which lessens tensions amongst locals.
The crackdowns form part of the Popular Party government team strategy to promote ‘quality and sustainable’ tourism.
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Palma’s tourism industry is changing, as they are a part of it.
While the number of visitors has slightly declined – tourist seasonality has dropped 2.01% in the past two years, and 4.57% since 2018 – overall spending has increased by 15%, suggesting that visitors are spending more and staying in higher-quality accommodation.
The number one-to-three star hotels also fell, while higher quality establishments experienced steady growth.
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As trends in Palma’s visitors shift, the location aims to position itself as more than a sunny holiday spot – it wants to become a year-round city break destination.
Locals are urging tourists to avoid Mallorca, but they do so in a way that is anti-tourism.
Many blame the tourism industry for the gentrification of the island, its rising cost of living, or the overburdened public services.
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It is hoped that the ban on tourist rentals and youth hostels will help balance the economic benefits of tourism with locals’ quality-of-life.
Three months after Palma City Council has approved an amendment to its General Plan, the proposed bans are set to come into force.
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