One of Spain’s most popular holiday hotspots has announced tough new measures in its latest bid to combat overtourism. Palma, the capital of Majorca, is slapping a total ban on party boats, new tourist rentals and youth hostels.
Mayor Jaime Martinez presented the tough new measures on Tuesday (October 14), saying the ban on more tourist rentals will come into immediate effect and be retrospective for three months, so that no new spaces are approved.
Until today the ban applied to multi-family homes but it now extends to single family dwellings and room rentals, such as those marketed on platforms such as Airbnb.
Mr Martinez said there were only 639 legal tourist rentals in Palma and these would continue to exist, but if cancelled, they would not be replaced.
The opening of any new hostels will also be banned throughout Palma, under the crackdown. Those which still exist will be encouraged to convert them into hotels or housing.
Party boats will be completely banned from Palma’s seafront where they dock, starting next season. The mayor is also working with the Balearic port authority to see how the restrictions will be enforced.
He said there had been a lot of complaints from residents, due to the type of tourists party boats were attracting, especially in the summer.
Mr Martinez said the measures were part of the city council’s commitment to safeguarding the quality of the destination and curbing illegal tourism.
Majorca has seen a series of anti-tourism protests, with demonstrations staged by residents in Palma and elsewhere.
Some locals want limits on tourist numbers, cruise ships and short-term lets amid concerns over the afforadbility of housing, impact on services and cost-of-living.