Miquel Caldentey, the president of one of the associations, says that town halls seem to have the view that owners are like "a bunch of hippies" who create mess and cause problems. There is a stigma, and the associations want to get rid of it. They are instead a type of tourism - "spending money, supporting and respecting the environment".
There have been previous gatherings like the one that has been organised for this weekend. On this occasion, around one hundred vehicles will spend two and a half days based at the industrial estate to coincide with the Sa Pobla Rice Fair. Activities will include a lunch on Sunday. On the menu will be arròs brut pobler, the gastronomic highlight of the fair.
The associations believe that town halls act in a discriminatory manner, the latest blow having come from Santa Margalida. It is to ban motorhomes and similar from spending the night on any street in Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. Other town halls which have created obstacles include Alcudia, Felanitx and Ses Salines.
The president of the other association, Miquel Antoni Vidal, says that there are groups who call themselves associations but are the ones who cause the bad reputation. "We want to be associated with family tourism. The problem is that there are groups who engage in bad practices and do not comply with regulations; camping where they should not, for example. The consequence is that town halls then deny space to the rest of us."
13 comments
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Most motorhome owners that I know are very responsible, and In know a few. They take nothing but photos, and leave nothing but footprints, plus also contribute to the local economy where they visit, restaurants and bars etc. Perhaps have a few campsites in Mallorca close to resorts that are well organised with good facilities, and easy access to local bars and restaurants.
Stan The ManI’m totally wrong???? Firstly, you are wrongly assuming that I own a 60.000 € motor home, which I don’t (nor do I own a cheap one). Secondly, you’re assuming that everyone who does, owns a top of the range motor home which they certainly don’t. Thirdly, it seems pretty obvious that you don’t know anyone who does own one. I don’t dispute the fact that there are a small minority of irresponsible owners, but the vast majority are families or couples who, as I said in my previous comment, use them to go touring not to park up in the street for days on end causing a nuisance. Perhaps you’d like to ban ALL young British / German holidaymakers from coming to Mallorca because a small minority cause trouble?
@Johnny C. You are totally wrong. But if you have £60,000 plus, enjoy your mobile home and travelling around Mallorca. But do not block or cause further nuisance.
I have witnessed motor homes attempting to park in roads by the sea and home owners running out shouting at them to go away complaining that they block their sea view and throw out foul-smelling black water in the kerb. This isn't right.
New motorhomes / camper vans cost a minimum from around £60000 upwards. I have known people who would love to visit Mallorca in their motorhomes with minimum facilities required, just somewhere to drop off the blackwater waste, and possible recharge their fresh water tanks. A lot of motorhomes now have showers and are fully self contained for living accommodation. Even smaller 6 meter motorhomes can have 2 beds shower , loo plus a small nice kitchen. One can of course eat out at local bars etc, and return to the motorhome to sleep in. Just a way to bring more money to the island. Instead if flying to Mallorca at 35000 feet, one could take a few days taking their time travelling through France and stopping off at some French Aires, campsites for motorhomes, then get a ferry from France or Spain over to Mallorca, and tour the island, stopping off for a couple of days say up north, then down the east coast, a few days around Palma then finish up in the mountain areas, before heading back to mainland Europe and a nice drive back to the UK.
Stan The ManYou are completely missing the point of owning a motor home. People who buy these vehicles don't want to be stuck in a hotel in one place for their entire holiday, they want to travel round and visit different places. I'm not sure why you mention the cost of driving from Britain to Mallorca - I don't remember ever seeing a U.K. registered motor home here. I think you will find that majority of owners who live here might spend a weekend somewhere on the island but mainly spend their holidays travelling round the Spanish mainland and France, not parked up for a week or two somewhere in Mallorca.
Just typical of Mallorcan narrow minded thinking.
How much does it cost to buy one of these Vehicles.? How much does it cost to drive one from Britain to Mallorca, and return plus road taxes and motorway charges.p? How much can be charged for staying on the Island? Adding All these costs must be £30 to £50,000 plus at least!!!. How many weeks stays would this total cost pay for staying in Hotels. With no driving, chemical toileting etc.? 50,00
Yes they are.
Why is this such a problem to Organize and arrange proper accomadation for these people then they have to use the provided services and not argue with the police local residents about disappearing !