Mallorca tour guides reject tourist group limits

Mallorca tour guides have rejected a proposed limit on tourist groups, warning it could hit small and medium-sized firms in the sector. Proguías de Turismo de Mallorca, part of the Pimem business association, set out its opposition in Palma on 27 August. The proposal comes from the Professional Association of Tourist Guides of the Balearic Islands and aims to curb overcrowding.

Proguías said the plan does not reflect the reality of Mallorca or the views of the wider sector. It questioned whether many guides support it and said smaller businesses could face a devastating effect.

Guides say organised visits ease pressure

The association said guides mainly arrange and lead cultural activities that already face restrictions. It also objected to criticism of travel agencies and tour operators, which it described as the main clients for its work.

Guides know the island, manage timings and alter routes, Proguías said. That allows them to spread visits across different places and time slots. The group also pointed to their role in presenting Mallorca’s heritage, history and culture, as well as helping with organisation, safety and the quality of visits.

Warning over unplanned visits

Proguías argued that making groups smaller would not reduce the number of tourists coming to Mallorca. Instead, it said, weakening professionally guided visits could leave more people travelling independently, without coordination or control over visitor flows.

The association called for impact studies into activities that are not already restricted. It also urged action against illegal offers, which it described as one of the main causes of the current situation.

Topics: Tourism

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com