As the tourist season is ramping up, three beaches in Majorca are lacking in sunbeds and umbrellas, sparking concern for nearby hotels and businesses who rely on travellers coming to enjoy their famous waterside. 

The beaches of Cala San Vicenç, Albercuix and Tamarells in Pollensa are still waiting for the town hall authorisation to go through for services to be allowed. 

“Many of the users have opted to go to Alcudia, for all the amenities that its beach services,” Jaume Salas, the president of the hoteliers, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin. 

“Families, who come with children and with elderly people, want to be able to lie on a sun bed and enjoy some shade.”

Salas also added that Pollensa mayor Martí March “is aware of the situation and has shown very good predisposition. The mayor has shown us his support and is doing everything possible to expedite the procedures.”

This is not a new occurrence. Every four years, Pollensa town hall has to reapply for beach service authorisation, which entails a fee to be paid to the Balearic government’s coasts department. Once this is granted, the council can then issue the tender, receive bids, and make awards.

But when the first tender did not receive bids, due to a 130% increase in the canon, Pollensa had to reduce the prices significantly. In turn, the Port Resident Association (AVP), who has been awarded the tender for about 40 years, applied and is expected to win due to a lack of competition. The issue should therefore be resolved quickly, provided paperwork is up to date and authorities ensure a smooth process. 

However, this delay, on top of deterring tourists, has also left 24 workers unemployed and without income as they stand by waiting for the contract to be awarded. 

According to council sources, cleaning and prep of the beaches is expected to start this week so that sunbeds and umbrellas can be installed as soon as the contract is ready. 

This comes as tourists across Majorca have been warned of the strong currents, called ‘rip currents, with five Germans being rescued by emergency services just last week. 

“Always let a lifeguard make a rip current rescue because often, the people that try to make rescues themselves end up being the ones who drown”,Ocean Today advice has said. “Instead, the best way to help is to throw them something that floats and immediately get a lifeguard for help.”