The mayor of Palma is calling for tough regulations to counter the excesses of mass tourism in Mallorca, a Spanish island popular among holidaymakers in Europe and beyond.
Mayor Jaime Martínez presented a catalogue of measures on Wednesday which provides for limits on the number of holidaymakers, rental cars, cruise ships and holiday flats in Mallorca.
However, the mayor is not able to implement most of his proposals on his own, but needs the approval of other authorities, from the island council to the government of the Balearic Islands or even the Spanish government.
Martínez initially wants to present his proposals for debate at a meeting of the Balearic Islands government with politicians and representatives from a range of interest groups on Thursday.
However, one step he could implement immediately is to ban new guest beds in private holiday rentals or impose higher penalties on establishments that cause excessive pollution.
But his other ideas will need additional support, such as to impose restrictions or bans on party boats and larger cruise ships, levy double charges for cruise holidaymakers, create a limit on the number of holidaymakers that can be guided through the city in a group, restrict the access of rental cars to the city centre, impose an absolute ban on alcohol on the streets of the entire municipality, and increase the presence of the local and national police.
His calls come after thousands protested against mass tourism in Palma, under banners such as "Let's say basta!" and "Mallorca is not for sale!" on Saturday.
The ever-increasing number of visitors and holiday flats is responsible for the housing shortage, the "destruction" of the island, the increase in traffic jams, pollution and crime, speakers said at the rally.
The demonstration was organised in the wake of a restaurant that collapsed last Thursday. Four people died in the accident, including two young women from Germany.
Mayor Martínez said on Tuesday that the owners of the restaurant did not have an operating licence for the balcony terrace. Its collapse caused the accident, it appears from the information currently available.
