Traffic jams at a Majorca beauty spot have been blamed on “selfies tourism”. Antoni Solivellas, Mayor of the Escorca region in the north-west of the popular holiday island, attributed gridlock in Sa Calobra to tourists flocking to take photos before leaving.
Mayor's frustration over tourist behaviour
The small coastal village, surrounded by mountains, boasts two beaches and is popular with coach daytrips. It is also famous among cycling enthusiasts who flock to Majorca, with the steep winding road in and out of the port village — which includes 26 hairpins over almost six miles — among the most popular routes.
Mr Solivellas expressed concerns over parking in Sa Calobra and said the situation has been worse than usual at this time of the year. “People come just long enough to take a photo and then leave,” he said, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Measures taken to ease congestion
“They harm everyone else, especially the tourist excursions coaches, which accept the regulations and comply with them perfectly.” Local authorities reportedly previously took action to prevent the constant flow of coaches along the narrow road into Sa Calobra.
“We've taken measures such as installing information signs, a barrier, and an officer who, when Sa Calobra is full, diverts cars to Tuent, where there are another hundred parking spaces, but some days it's not enough,” said Mr Solivellas, who is calling on the traffic directorate to step in.
Estimates and wider context
According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, Escorca Town Hall estimates an average 700-800 private vehicles visit Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent every day, despite there being only around 300 parking spaces in Sa Calobra. An association of coach drivers previously called on authorities to take action.
A letter to transport chiefs in April purportedly warned of a “serious structural situation” along the Tramuntana road network. This was blamed on the “uncontrolled increase in traffic”, warning bicycles, hire cars and mobility scooters are causing “chaos, traffic gridlock, and dangerous situations”.
It comes amid growing concerns regarding mass tourism in Majorca. There has been a series of demonstrations on the island over the issue, with campaigners arguing it has contributed to problems such as unaffordable rents and overcrowding. Eight people were said to have suffered injuries after police clashed with anti-mass tourism protesters in Palma, the capital of Majorca, last month. Protests around mass tourism have also been held elsewhere in the Balearic Islands, as well as on the Spanish mainland and wider Mediterranean region.
