Businesses in Pollensa are demanding that urgent measures be taken to alleviate the damage that has been caused to the tourism image of the municipality by issues such as work on the coastal road, problems with mobility and the delay in providing beach services.
There has been a meeting of representatives of associations for restaurants, holiday rentals businesses, retailers, residents and hoteliers. This assessed the situation in Puerto Pollensa and demanded that the town hall assumes its responsibilities and takes urgent action and establishes a proper management plan, agreed with all sectors.
The Majorca Hoteliers Federation has also been involved. It has released a statement in which it says that the town hall has caused serious harm to all economic sectors not just in Puerto Pollensa but also in Pollensa town, Cala San Vicente and Formentor.
The main problems relate to the delay in awarding the concession for sun loungers, parasols and other beach services and to the fact that the semi-pedestrianisation scheme is not finished. There is also criticism of the application of local ordinance regarding the use of the public way, which has meant that some terraces have lost tables. Furthermore, the businesses are concerned by the absence of a traffic plan and the consequent shortage of parking and difficulties with loading and unloading.
The most serious of all, though, are the beach services and the impact on some 20,000 tourists who are in the municipality on a daily basis. This has given rise to the sight of "deserted beaches" without parasols, without loungers and without basic services in the full tourism season.
The various associations describe as "incomprehensible" that a recommendation to extend existing authorisation from the Costas Authority for these services was not followed. They are referring to the fact that the town hall chose to ignore the authorisation that was valid until next year by presenting a new specification and therefore tender. "It did so, aware that all the processing would not be concluded until the end of July."
On the semi-pedestrianisation, there is additional criticism of the actual work. This is deemed to be unsatisfactory for residents and tourists alike in terms of aesthetics and quality. The businesses also point out that the work planned for the coming winter has not yet been tendered.
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We have been coming to Pollensa for many years ,putting up with dreadful weather and obnoxious waiters, This year we have booked for three weeks ,what a mistake ! First , they are taxing us for traveling to the island, ( other Islands are available ) ,and now we find there are no parasols and sun beds .Who wants to burn on the sand ,do they not care for the people who put the money into the local economy ? .
It is a acandal, of course, and it needs sorting: however, part of me quite likes the sight of a plain beach with all the usual paraphernalia missing - just right for a rush mat, a can of cold beer, and a couple of sandwiches...so much more attractive!
Ever since the issue of the pedestrianisation was raised there has been a misconception that we got all that we were able to afford.This dangerous perspective must be spiked before the Council runs head long into a recovery programme that will do no more than cover over the cracks.(Pun intended). Any firm understands that you invest to maximise your return. Therefore you do not skimp on the investment, if money is short you spread it over a number of years. The success of the Puerto is dependant on tourism , and the money this raises is key to the overall success of the Council in managing the Pollensa town. This investment in the front was critical and it has been an unmitigated disaster. A review of passeos within Mallorca and on the mainland will show that many Councils have got this right with the pedestrian areas being a delight to walk along whilst also fulfilling the desired function. This is nearly always to create one way traffic, a safe pedestrian area, a cycling route separate from the road and a pleasant environment in which to enjoy a stroll and the adjacent business areas. Pollensa achieved this itself with the original pedestrianisation but has failed miserably with this effort. It is critical that time is now spent reviewing the layout of the pedestrian area/cycling path/road whilst also recognising the standard of materials for the pavement must be improved. In my opinion the focus for next year should be on the area from Stay to Avenida de Paris, bringing this upto the necessary standard well before the season starts in 2017. The remainder of the front should then be lifted to the same standard over the next few years. Pollensa has damaged itself this year, undoubtedly there will be visitors who will look elsewhere next season. It is critical that Phase 2 is properly planned and executed if Pollensa is to aspire to remaining the Jewell of the North.