28/11/2013 00:00
TW
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by MONITOR
RECENT articles in the Bulletin have drawn attention to Majorca's hopes - even expectation - that its restored ancient Ruta de sa pedra seca (Dry-stone Route) across the Tramuntana mountain range will be granted Unesco World Heritage Site status, putting it in the same league as Egypt's pyramids and India's Taj Mahal. It would be wonderful if this were to happen. But the news that Benidorm is also seeking similar status for its “architectural significance” as the first high-rise resort in Europe does rather open the question of whether it should be Magalluf rather than the Tramuntana track that Majorca is putting forward for recognition.

The transformation in 50 years of the quiet fishing village on the Costa Blanca to the “Dubai of Europe” is certainly to be respected but whether it can yet be called a heritage is surely open to doubt. Furthermore, before Magalluf gets any ideas about its improving its station in life it should know that Benidorm is having to introduce a raft of reforms in the use of its beaches that run to
73 articles which range from closing the beach each night from midnight to 7am to imposing a 600 euro fine for leaving a broken wine or beer bottle in the sand. Even fishing will be prohibited with a fine of over 1000 euros for harpooning - surely a denial of the very concept of heritage given
Benidorm's origins?