Majorca demands 'ban' after learning of UK tourists' plans for island

Holiday hotspot faces a tense few months amid reports cruise ships could dock in the Balearics - despite fierce overtourism protests last year.
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Majorca has launched a "backlash" over the forecasted cruise ship figures for the coming year. The European Union holiday hotspot faces a tense few months amid reports cruise ships could dock in the Balearics - despite fierce overtourism protests last year.

The Platform against Mega-Cruise Ships has this week criticised the forecast that 541 cruise ships will dock in Palma this year, disembarking more than 1.8 million passengers in the city - after locals voiced their fury over the influx of holidaymakers.

Responding to the figures, one fumed: "Nice have banned large cruise ships. They’re ok with small upmarket cruise ships and clientele. But not large low quality ships and passengers in their premium city." A second said: "Nice has just announced that it is banning large cruise ships from entering the port. Smaller luxury cruise ships can carry on. But low rent floating buildings and their clientele, are not welcome in the luxury resort."

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"End of November visit to Palma presented 5 cruise ships in port. It was horrible. Packed. Sunday morning, all gone. Lovely. I don’t know what the f*ck this or any other govt here is doing but they are useless at any control," another wrote.

Another wrote: "The number of vessels in Palma is a serious environmental problem . Just look towards the harbour from the hill of Na Burguesa or El Molinar. In this context, it is funny to introduce environmental zones for cars because tourist ships are the main source of air pollution.

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"The soot particles emitted from the funnels of these ships are also a problem. These are carcinogenic substances. This is why I avoid the harbour area during the high season. Financial considerations must not overshadow environmental and health concerns."

"Drivers of certain vehicles are now prohibited from entering parts of Palma and yet cruise ships which cause a great deal more harm to the environment are allowed to increase. Hypocrisy on a massive scale," said another local.

One group, The Platform against Mega-Cruise Ships, has warned a "massive influx of cruise passengers" risks "touristifying" the city centre. It warned the influx would create a culture that is "not very compatible with the life of the residents", adding that cruise ship tourism is "often falsely associated with the image of a prosperous economic sector and engine of growth, hides a hidden face that cannot be ignored".