The Cathedral of Mallorca, la Seu, is the gateway for thousands of cruise passengers and tourists who visit the Mallorcan capital throughout most of the year, but especially at this time of year. An image that has become commonplace in the area, and in other emblematic places in the centre of Palma, such as the Plaça Major, is the presence of street vendors.
But the image of a huge market at the foot of the cathedral, beyond Dalt Murada, where the string of stalls seems endless, extends to the steps leading up to the Seu, where every step is good for “Top manta” and street vendors, almost all of whom are from sub-Saharan Africa.
If S’Hort del Rei is taken over by them, the steps of the Cathedral have become another coveted spot. Tourists come and go, and they are offered everything from caps, hats, bags and fans to beat the heat, as well as water and cold drinks, not to mention other souvenirs such as magnets and T-shirts. There is even the option of having your hair braided.
The landscape in an area of great heritage, cultural and historical value in Palma, also close to the Almudaina Palace, has been invaded by this uncontrolled market that is growing in full view of citizens and tourists, potential customers for these vendors who make a living by taking advantage of the inertia of the first space that cruise passengers encounter when they get off the bus at the Old Quay.
But, UK holidaymakers are being cautioned that they could face fines of 750 euros (approximately £630) for purchasing anything, including food and drink, from street vendors. Palma has implemented new laws which could result in British tourists facing fines and potentially even arrests for a variety of offences this summer.
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Zoltan TeglasThe facts are right in front of your eyes dude. You really think it is just that they can sell illigal products and we don´t? You live in a fantasy world.
Daniel HatchfordI don't subscribe to any political ideology or party. I look for balanced, sensible, reality-based governance with vision. I don't care what party they come from. Perhaps you haven't been paying attention, but the current US administration openly and aggressively pursues any media or political entity that expresses dissent or offends the executive office in any way. Often in the very name of "free speech" - particularly when it involves fact-checking a questionable policy or statement of officials in the administration. This is hardly a secret, and is an openly used intimidation tactic used by this administration. And it's been rather effective so far. Ask CBS news. Or AP. Or NBC. Or CNN. Or Columbia. Or Harvard. Or many others who've expressed views that Trump doesn't like. They are made to pay in one way or another. So be offended if you wish. But as an American, what you probably should be more offended about is the selective enforcement of "freedom of speech" to quell dissent. That's a bit of a red flag, don't you think?
Morgan WilliamsTrue, selective freedom of speech
Morgan WilliamsAnd before you accuse me of being some weird MAGA supporter I should let you know that I have voted Democrat all my life. I never opinionate about a foreign coontrtrys politics, especially when living abroad, having said that I understand that the UKs socialist goverment are doing exactly the same thing you are accusing our current one of doing but with no proof to back up your absurd statement. Good day Sir.
Morgan WilliamsAs an American citizen you offend me with that remark. Are you implying that the people you mention have more power than Congress and the Senate ? You clearly do not understand how the power structure, or for that matter the judiciary in the U.S. works.
Organ WelshmanI agree with you on this, these people and all illegals should be removed . I do not however agree with your comment on the " cement awards"
Ross Patrick Melinnyou are aware these people are linked to organised crime right? they are iftwn here illegally too. they often sell drugs too....and before you say anything I have been offered it by them and seen them sell it in the resorts. in the afternoon in broad daylight! why are the authorities not removing them from the streets? why aren't you asking that question? they have been in these areas for YEARS!
Zoltan Teglasthey are quick to fine those buying off them but not put those doing the selling in jail or ceasing their goods there and then? easy low hanging fruit to fine tourists but not the root cause which id those selling??
The cause of this is organised crime. The same network operates from the Canaries to the Balearics. Wherever there are tourist, this problem arises. I have been on flights from the peninsular where a handler is travelling with sellers, they get shipped from region to region, city to city. The sellers are bottom rung, above them are the look-outs overseeing the sellers and giving the order to scatter if the law is close by, above them the handlers who are like regional managers, then on top are the ones funding the whole operation — and no, they are not immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. This is well supported by local syndicates of Spanish mafia. The workers don't import or travel with the merchandise, so it needs to come from somewhere. The syndicates are shipping in wholesale quantities of knocks-offs from all over Asia. How do they get away with it? They're rich enough, they have warehouses hidden in plain site. Any problems with the judiciary, a brown envelope is passed over and the problem goes away. As is the case with their illegal holiday lets, drug running, money laundering, and prostitution all whilst maintaining their connections to some of the largest and most powerful mafias worldwide. They probably still have 'mafia holidays' in Mallorca.
Richard PearsonWhich version of "freedom of speech" are you referring to? The textbook/constitutional version, permitting freedom of speech for all views. or The Trump/Musk version, which provides freedom of speech for anything that supports their ideological views, with severe penalties for anything that doesn't. Which one?