On Tuesday, the Balearic Government will approve the creation of a body for combating unfair competition. This will assess the impact of unfair competition in the Balearics and push for measures for its control and eradication. There are to be four priority areas: tourism, transport, retail, and leisure.
The 'Mesa de Lucha contra el Intrusismo' will conduct studies of the impact of unfair competition, provide advice on regulatory improvements and strengthen institutional coordination, as well as promote effective measures and policies to address the problem. Some of these lines of action have already been implemented by the Council of Ibiza, which has its own specific body.
In Ibiza's case, the plan focused on the illegal transport of passengers by both road and sea. The presence of unlicensed taxis at the airport was significantly reduced, although largely because increased surveillance led to a shift of illegal operations to the port.
Cristóbal Herrera, president of the car hire association Baleval, says unlicensed activity constitutes "a very significant problem". "There are many people renting illegal vehicles." Marketing channels for unregulated hire cars are becoming increasingly varied: from word of mouth to Telegram groups or Airbnb listings that include a car with the accommodation.
José María Jiménez, president of the charter committee of the association of maritime businesses, says unregulated services in the recreational boating sector are "rampant". "It’s the same as with taxis and hire cars, but with the added problem that people come from all over the Mediterranean: French, German, Italian, or Polish. They arrive with their boats, without moorings, they don’t pay fees or permits, and they arrange to meet clients anywhere to pick them up. It’s very difficult to compete."
He points out that the very clandestine nature of their business leads these unlicensed operators to dump waste from their boats in the middle of the sea rather than in the port. "They’re hard to catch. And there are so many of them: for every regular boat, there are two illegal ones."
Biel Rosales, president of the tour guides' association, stresses: "We've been asking for action against unlicensed guides for some time now, along with more personnel and resources for enforcement. It's been proven that for every illegal guide caught, there are six or seven more who continue operating with impunity. I myself have only been inspected once in six years of working."
Rosales argues that the police should be able to conduct checks on guides in tourist hotspots such as Plaça Cort in Palma. Implementing immediate surveillance and sanctions to combat these practices should be a priority. "Creating a working group is all well and good, but the first thing I would do is implement measures; the analysis can come later. We know the situation we're in."
Unlicensed practice is defined as the exercise of a profession or activity without the authorisation, qualifications, or knowledge required by law.