Hila told the audience in the Plaça Cort: "We have to know how to manage the success of the principal driver of our economy in order to avoid saturations like those this summer and to ensure that wealth reaches everyone. This is why we have regulated the flow of cruise-ship tourists in the centre of Palma and why we will work closely on all aspects of the debate on regulating tourist rentals."
The mayor also spoke about the city's need for greater political autonomy and for greater economic resources. "Almost half the citizens of Majorca live in the city, which offers services to the whole of the Balearics. Palma is underfunded in terms of everything it represents and contributes to Majorca and to the Community (the Balearic region)."
On the symbolism of the Standard, Hila said that it was "an act through which we express our understanding of all that we are ... and feel as a people". As the Council of Majorca will from next year be celebrating Majorca Day on 31 December as well, Hila welcomed this but stressed Palma's role of being in charge of the Standard. He went on to refer to the flag being raised against "all types of violence, especially gender, and in firmly defending peace and tolerance".
He concluded by saying that he hopes that he has contributed to opening the doors of the town hall to citizens, to devolving politics "to the street" and to actively listening to the problems of Palma residents. Hila will step down as mayor next year and hand over to Antoni Noguera of Més.
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The most serious problem that exists in Palma Nova and Magaluf is that the hotels now close in the winter. Before this started the area thrived during the winter, with everywhere open and able to pay their rents, with most hotels having special gala days for non-residents with buffets and live music all afternoon. This must come back. The hotel workers would be able to pay their rents, and pay their taxes instead of claiming money back from the state. It's not rocket science, and the way forward for all.
Well. Building another huge hotel in Palma Nova won't do much for the perceived "saturation" in the resort, if that's what they're trying to address. And the best way to help the "wealth reaches all" is to quit whingeing about the private rental sector. As we all know, they're the ones spreading the wealth around the resorts outside of the hotels.