The GOB criticizes the beach model: "They cannot become a luxury product"
The environmental organization warns that any increase in beach service prices must involve a municipal ordinance and denounces a model designed for tourism that could displace residents.
PalmHe GOB Mallorca The environmental organization has warned that new beach service fees cannot be applied without official approval through the corresponding legal procedure. The organization has filed objections to the Economic Study for the Operation of Seasonal Services following recent reports of a possible price increase on Palma's beaches as a result of the new tender, which it describes as "exorbitant" and outside the legal framework.
According to GOB, the proposed rates do not match the authorized public prices and cannot be applied arbitrarily. They reiterate that any modification of beach service prices must be carried out through a municipal ordinance, following the established legal procedure and with the corresponding publication in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB).
The environmental organization emphasizes that this is not an isolated case. In September 2025, formal complaints were filed regarding prices exceeding those authorized for sunbeds and umbrellas on Cala Major beach.This led to a complaint being filed with the Directorate General of Coasts and the Littoral for non-compliance with the conditions of the existing authorization. This precedent, they point out, demonstrates that the problem is not only the proposed price, but also the lack of effective mechanisms to guarantee that the approved rates are respected.
Hidden Increases
In this regard, the GOB warns of the risk of hidden or illegal price increases and demands greater oversight from the relevant authorities. Furthermore, it criticizes the fact that the beach services management model is primarily designed for tourists willing to pay increasingly higher prices, neglecting residents who use the beaches year-round.
"What cannot happen is that public policies turn beaches into a luxury product or end up excluding the everyday use of the people who live in Palm"," the organization warns. The GOB reminds everyone that beaches are public spaces and that their services must be accessible, transparent, and strictly compliant with the law, for both residents and visitors.