The PIMEM small to medium traders' association today denounced the lack of control over the excessive tourism in the Playa de Palma.
Its spokesman, Josep Balanzat, complained about the security problems and the uncivic behaviour suffered by shopkeepers in the area, as well as residents and tourists.
In addition to the strong resurgence of illegal practices such as street vending, there is also the nuisance caused by the "wild behaviour" of visitors who drink too much alcohol.
"It's a problem that has been going on for a long time and nothing is being done to solve it."
Balanzat claimed that the police force assigned to the area "is totally insufficient" and, as well as calling for reinforcements he also proposed fining tourists who play illegal gambling games in the street.
"The security forces have to start to take real action because the degradation is increasing and this is a stain that can spread to the whole island," he said.
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Marvin/Morgan. Great analysis You are so right guys about Magaluf and Majorca and the Brits views of those places.and I use plural deliberately. As you say those who have been to Majorca, those who have not and holiday some in Nice, Tuscany the Greek islands some Blackpool and Yarmouth and those that love Magaluf and Palmanova. I know parts of the island well enough I first visited in 76 and flopped in Palma which was a very different place back then to now. I have even holidayed in Magaluf once, back in the early 80s and in Calavinas a couple of times in late 80s. So remember the resort as a family oriented beach holiday. In those days it was PalmaNova that had the reputation in the U.K. press anyway. I traveled though Magaluf late 90s due to road works and witnessed what it had become. and although I know where it is I agree with Marvin. I don’t want to go there. My personal views aside many love the place, and to quote Jeff Wayne’s..War of the World's .. And still they come. Da ,Da Da.
@marvin I know people in the UK that have never been, but when you tell them you live here, the expressions are priceless. "...and you erm, *like* it there, with all the noise and partying and crime?". The assumption is that we must live in Magaluf, because that's the only thing they read about Mallorca in the Daily Mail and Express. I've even been asked what the airport code is for the Magaluf airport. Mallorca is just a suburb of Magaluf, innit?
What's this got to do with Palma? Magaluf and Arenal are not in Palma.
Any Brit who knows little about Mallorca and has never been has probably heard of magalluf. They might not even know where it is, but once they do it’d be enough to deter them coming.