Jason Moore28/10/2016 00:00
TW
1

Does Palma really want any more cruise ship passengers? I know that this island survives from tourism and obviously we need as many visitors as we can get, but is there a danger that the cruise ship boom is spoiling the enjoyment of our great city?

Everyone I know is busy complaining that Palma was too overcrowded last summer and to some extent it still is very busy in key areas. What is my concern? That too many people will spoil the enjoyment of our great city. The other day I was in the Plaza Cort just before lunchtime; you could hardly move. It was a nightmare getting from one side to the other. I know that Palma is a tourist city and we should expect tourists in large numbers but I would say that the city has passed its capacity point.

I never thought I would say this but perhaps what we need are fewer cruise ship passengers. This would allow those who do visit time to enjoy our great city in peace and without having to push their way through the crowds. The other alternative is for the port authority to coordinate cruise ship visits so that they do not come together all on the same day. This is probably the easiest solution. The authority needs to be informed that Palma can only handle a maximum of four cruise ships in a single day. There were instances in the summer when the port welcomed at least six big cruise ships. Palma needs to be enjoyed by all, but no overcrowding please.