According to Inma Benito, the president of the Majorca Hoteliers Federation, town hall administrative obstacles have impeded off-season investment of 113 million euros in hotel redevelopment. The town halls, she says, have applied a "restrictive dynamic" when it comes to the granting of licences. This has prevented many businesses from carrying out renovation projects. "The delays are by as much as eighteen months, and this is creating a great deal of legal insecurity."
The federation maintains that building licences were previously awarded within six months. This gave adequate time to plan work and finalise contractual arrangements with construction companies. She explains that a detailed analysis of each tourist area has led to the 113 million euros calculation. The delays are therefore affecting the building sector and its suppliers, which in turn add to a negative impact.
Hotel chains of different sizes agree that delays are causing problems with planning, which has a negative knock-on effect on the concession of building work, hiring of building workers and also hotel employees. The hotels argue that there is no good reason why the delays should be the norm at most of the island's town halls.
Benito suggests that there is a lack of awareness of tourism among local authorities, which fail to take account of the fact that hotel renovations create employment and increase hotel ratings, which ultimately lead to a client base with greater spending power.
The town halls most inclined to delays are said to be Alcudia, Calvia, Manacor, Palma, Pollensa, Sant Llorenç and Santa Margalida. Capdepera and others on the east coast are described as being "more sensible" and granting licences within a couple of months.
Companies which belong to the Balearic builders association are also complaining about the "administrative paralysis". Many projects that had been scheduled have had to be postponed until next winter. This is therefore affecting construction companies' finances and employment. "The attitude of some municipalities benefits no one. What's at stake is the economy of Majorca and the competitiveness of a sector."
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Menorca has two lovely cities - one either end - but it has nothing of the life and variety of Mallorca, which beats it hands down in topography, events, good mountain walking, entertainment, natural beauty, access, etc. etc. I agree that Mallorca's beauty needs urgent protection and that better balance must be achieved to prevent the march of concrete, but to suggest Menorca is a better place to live - not for me! Maybe for those who want greater isolation and fewer facilities then yes, perfect for you. We all like different things and hallelujah to that!
Totally agree. As I have said before, I know a lot of people who are moving to Menorca to reclaim the feeling of Mallorca in past years. Sadly for Mallorca it is too late to reverse the damage. The MDB continually supports more, more, more. My view...if you want to live in Dubai or London etc. with all the shopping as advertised by the MDB today, then move there. Stop spoiling our island. Salvem Mallorca.
Stop Building, Mallorca is suffocating. Too much concrete everywhere. New hôtels are not needed, Keep prices high in hotel business, Too many beds bring prices down.