On Tuesday, Palma's mayor, Jaime Martínez, and the deputy mayor for tourism, Javier Bonet, met the president of the Acotur tourist businesses association, Pepe Tirado, in order to discuss illegal street selling in Playa de Palma. The outcome of the meeting was a town hall commitment to increase resources, including the number of police.
The mayor and deputy mayor explained that they were well aware of the problem of street vending in Playa de Palma, saying that actions against it have "intensified significantly" this summer. Updated civic ordinance, which was passed in May, reiterated fines for illegal selling and for the purchase of goods sold by illegal vendors.
It was said at the meeting that the town hall will be taking on 170 more police officers in 2026, many of whom will be assigned to Playa de Palma.
Tirado welcomed the town hall's willingness to tackle something - illegal street selling - "that has been rampant in Playa de Palma for a long time." He pointed out that it represents serious unfair competition for local, taxpaying businesses.
He added that this selling presents tourists with a very bad image and was especially critical of the sale of products that are harmful to health, e.g. laughing gas. Strong measures against illegal street vending are needed. "We know this administration (the town hall) is doing everything it can, but it is vital for everyone to eradicate these illegal practices."