At 11am on Sunday, the ceremonial ribbon was cut to mark the official inauguration of the first phase of the remodelling of Magalluf's promenade, the Paseo Marítimo having been renamed after the founder of Meliá Hotels International, the late Gabriel Escarrer Julià.
His son, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, the CEO of Meliá, was among the personalities who attended the opening. Presided over by the mayor of Calvia, Juan Antonio Amengual, others included the president of the Council of Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, and the former mayor of Calvia and the current delegate for the Spanish Government in the Balearics, Alfonso Rodríguez.
The mayor and Gabriel Escarrer highlighted the importance of the work that has been carried out and which will continue. It is a further landmark in the transformation of Magalluf that started some thirteen years ago when Meliá presented its project to reposition the resort and to bring about a change in image.
The work includes some to the beach as well as to the promenade, such as the introduction of artificial dunes and palm trees grouped to form small oasis areas.
A grant of four million euros from EU Next Generation funds and one million euros of tourist tax revenue have been spent on the first phase. Calvia Town Hall says that, if all goes according to plan, work on the second phase, which also has tourist tax funding, will begin this November.
To mark the occasion, the town hall organised a special day of events, including a Gastro Fair, beach sports and folk dance.