Alex Trelinski
AROUND 50 people took part in a protest on Wednesday outside a Palma apartment block that houses illegal tourist rentals.
The demonstration was called by the ‘Less tourism, more life’ platform and focused on a Calle Gaspar Bennazar building with five floors of accommodation- totalling 56 beds.
Protestors held banners and chanted slogans about the lack of regulation of tourist apartments and authorities not listening to their complaints.
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Two stickers were posted in the entrance of the building with the words ‘ETV illegal'(Tourist stays in homes).
They alleged that the property owner has around 200 unregistered holiday rentals in Palma and is ‘profiting daily’ from illegal activity.
Members of the campaign group gave speeches with one stating that the ‘property was denounced a year ago and still continues with its activities with impunity’.
They proclaimed that they are fed up with the proliferation of tourist flats in their neighbourhoods which is leading to the gentrification of Palma that is ‘expelling’ residents from the area.
It was also pointed out that long-standing traditional businesses are being squeezed in favour of those that are tourist-orientated.
A woman called Catalina who denounced the tourist flats in the Gaspar Bennazar building a year ago lives in an adjoining block.
She criticised the behaviour of holidaymakers who stay there.
“What is happening is not compatible with the life of somebody who gets up to go to work,” she said.
“Coexistence is impossible because their schedule begins at 5pm and ends at 6am when they return drunk and screaming.”
A big demonstration by the ‘Less tourism’ platform has been organised for July 21.
