Panic in Majorca as travel agencies threaten to stop bringing tourists after new 'ban'

A travel agency has vented its outrage at a planned new rule in Majorca. A new regulation plans to limit the maximum number of people in guided walking tour groups to 20.

The Business Association of Travel Agencies of the Balearic Islands (Aviba) has said that it believes that this restriction would be ‘disproportionate’ and ‘nonsensical’.

Aviba’s president, Pedro Fiol, told Ultima Hora: “If this is implemented, you can be sure that we will stop bringing tourists to the city of Palma. Operationally, it would be unfeasible and very costly.”

He then claimed that the agency was ‘not consulted’ on the proposal. In addition, Mr Fiol stated that it is the only measure not included in the draft that was made public.

This reportedly ensured that it was a ‘complete surprise’ during a presentation on Wednesday (November 27).

Aviba also claims that, although they are currently authorised to have up to 70 people in groups, they ‘obviously never’ do. Instead, the company claims that they work with groups of around 50.

According to Mr Fiol, limiting excursions to 20 people will ‘force them to increase prices to pass on the cost to the final customer.’

This, the president added would mean tourists would have ‘less budget for spending at the destination’.

It is reported that he thinks the proposal shows a ‘lack of understanding’ of how the visits work, which can cover more than one municipality. Therefore, he believes that the firm would have to hire more guides upon arriving in Palma for a group coming from, for example, another visit in Part Forana.

This would have to be split, it is thought.

Mr Foil added: “Currently, we have many problems conducting excursions because we don’t have guides; we don’t understand how they will now demand we double the number.”

Moreover, Aviba said that there have been no official guide positions announced for 16 years, although Mallorca’s Council has reportedly hinted that this may occur next year.

It comes after a campaign promoting tourism in Majorca was launched in a blow to protesters warning tourists to stay away from the holiday hotspot.

This year has seen a wave of protests against overtourism on the Mediterranean island as locals demand visitor numbers are managed more effectively.