The Platform Against Megacruise Ships denounces that the reduction in cruise passengers is false

PalmThe Platform Against Megacruise Ships has described the latest agreement signed between the Balearic Islands Government, the Palma City Council, and the large cruise lines as "a worthless piece of paper and a complete farce." According to the organization, the pact represents no real change from the previous one and confirms that "in Palma, the general interest doesn't govern; the large cruise lines do."

The announced reduction in cruise ship passengers, which would drop from a daily average of 8,500 people to 7,500 between June and September, is, according to the Platform, merely a "pipe dream." Controls are insufficient, and arrival volumes remain almost the same, with the same environmental impacts, they warn. "The pressure from the cruise lines has been enough for the Government to adopt and maintain a model that condemns the city to saturation and permanent pollution," states Jaume Garau, spokesperson for the Platform. The organization criticizes the fact that mega-cruise ships do not generate real wealth, leaving only "crumbs" while clogging streets, public spaces, and services, and turning Palma into a "theme park of fast consumption."

Furthermore, they point out that several technical reports indicate that the port facilities are not prepared to dock and maneuver large cruise ships with full safety guarantees, and cite cases such as those of Britannia and the MSC Virtuosawhich endangered the port without causing major damage. However, the Balearic Islands Port Authority plans to expand the western breakwater to relocate ship repairs, which will further restrict maneuvering space.

For the Platform, the Government and the City Council have decided to prioritize the interests of large corporations over citizens and have given up on leading a change in the tourism model. Recent polls indicate that the majority of citizens want to reduce the number of megacruise ships, but, according to Garau, "the opinion of the citizens is also of no interest to those who signed the agreement."

In light of this, the organization demands an immediate retraction from the Mayor of Palma and political accountability from the Government and the APB, in addition to asserting that Palma "is not for sale... or is it?".