Palma, a city worth saving

Forces from the Spanish mainland will be drafted in to help their colleagues in the Palma police contend with violent disorder as the island gears up for a record breaking influx of tourists.

The move comes in the aftermath of a disgraceful brawl between inebriated German tourists and a large group of African street vendors on the Playa de Palma, which disrupted business and tarnished the city’s hard earned reputation as one of Europe’s premier destinations. From June until late October, an additional 170 police officers will join a well prepared Mallorcan contingent patrolling the historic capital, the Paseo Maritimo, and the notorious Ballermann district on the playa.

Central to the dilemma posed to the authorities is the unpredictable deluge of tourists, numbering in the millions, many of whom will be first time travellers to the island, more likely to be caught up in, or cause, trouble. Environmentalist groups have warned that overcrowding could lead to stress and frustration, while greatly impacting ecology and maritime habitats.

The efforts will likely be welcomed by the island’s growing expatriate and native population, and local businesses, which together have transformed Mallorca into a vibrant and cosmopolitan Mediterranean stronghold with a diverse foreign population highly protective of their community’s future sustainability.