Majorca panic at Brit holiday resorts as tourists stay away over beach issue

With the holiday season in full swing, three popular beaches in Majorca are facing a shortage of sunbeds and umbrellas, causing worry among local hotels and businesses that depend on tourist arrivals to their scenic shores. Cala San Vicenc, Albercuix, and Tamarells in Pollensa await town hall approval to reinstate beach services.

Jaume Salas, the president of the hoteliers, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "Many of the users have opted to go to Alcudia, for all the amenities that its beach services... families, who come with children and with elderly people, want to be able to lie on a sun bed and enjoy some shade."

Salas noted that Pollensa mayor Marti March "is aware of the situation and has shown very good predisposition. The mayor has shown us his support and is doing everything possible to expedite the procedures."

The situation is not unprecedented. The Pollensa town hall must renew its beach service authorization every four years, which involves a fee paid to the Balearic government's coast department, as the Express has reported. Once authorised, the town hall can issue the tender, receive bids, and award contracts.

However, the initial tender received no bids because of an exorbitant 130 percent increase in the fee. As a result, Pollensa was compelled to significantly lower the fees. Subsequently, the Port Resident Association (AVP), which has been securing the tender for approximately forty years, applied and is expected to win, given the lack of other bidders.

The situation should be resolved quickly if all documentation is current and the authorities facilitate a smooth process. Nevertheless, the delay has not gone down well with tourists and left 24 workers unemployed and without income while they await the contract's finalisation. This news comes as holidaymakers across Majorca have been cautioned about the powerful 'rip currents', with five Germans being saved by emergency services just last week.

“Always let a lifeguard make a rip current rescue because often, the people that try to make rescues themselves end up being the ones who drown" warned Ocean Today. They add: "Instead, the best way to help is to throw them something that floats and immediately get a lifeguard for help."