Latest blow to Brits in Majorca as tourists hit by new ‘limit’ | World | News
Brits jetting off to Majorca have been dealt a fresh blow after being hit with a new tourism limit that could prove “very expensive”.
To tackle overtourism, Majorca has implemented its toughest measures yet by issuing a guided tours restriction limiting the amount of people to 20.
Guided tours can currently have up to 70 people, although typically there are around 50.
In response, travel agencies have threatened to stop bringing tourists to Palma if guided tours are limited.
The Business Association of Travel Agencies of the Balearic Islands (Aviba) has said that it believes that this restriction would be “disproportionate” and “nonsensical”.
Aviba’s president, Pedro Fiol, told Ultima Hora: “If this is implemented, you can be sure that we will stop bringing tourists to the city of Palma. Operationally, it would be unfeasible and very costly.”
Fiol believes the limit of 20 would make the tours more expensive and consequently this means toursits will spend less money, something that will unimpress businesses in the city.
He then claimed that the agency was “not consulted” on the proposal. In addition, Fiol stated that it is the only measure not included in the draft that was made public and they were not told about it in advance.
This reportedly ensured that it was a “complete surprise” during a presentation on Wednesday (November 27).
Fiol is also warning that there is already a shortage of tour guides.
It is reported that he thinks the proposal shows a “lack of understanding” of how the visits work, which can cover more than one municipality. Therefore, he believes that the firm would have to hire more guides upon arriving in Palma for a group coming from, for example, another visit in Part Forana.
He said: “We currently have problems in being able to offer the excursions because we do not have enough guides. We therefore can’t understand why they (the town all) are now going to demand that we double the number.”
Fiol also highlighted that there hasn’t been any recruitment of new guides for 16 years, although the Council of Mallorca says that there will be in 2025.
