© Melissa Chandler
Paseo Maritimo to protest against street drinking parties
The Business & Industry Association of the Paseo Maritimo in Palma (ACOIPAM), have had enough of the drunken night time street parties - known as the botellon - that are held every weekend along this prestigious avenue. They said last week that they are preparing for a demonstration likely to be held on 19th July, to protest at the failure of the Palma City Council to stop them.
The demonstration is said to be the first of many, and similar protests will be held every Monday at 7pm throughout the summer until the City Council put a stop to the problems associated with botellon, which are now occurring during the week, as well as at weekends. The botellon is popular with teenagers in a number of Spanish cities, as many of the crowd are too young to be allowed into bars.
ACOIPAM have had a lot of support from some influential Balearic business groups. Amongst those who are keen to see the council put a stop to the botellon include the Majorcan Chamber of Commerce, the Balearic business association (CAEB), the small to medium-sized Majorcan businesses association (Pimem) and the Majorcan Hoteliers’ Association.
Many of the hotels, bars, restaurants and other businesses along the Paseo Maritimo say that the botellon is having disastrous effects on their businesses. Tourists who come to Palma and stay in the harbour-front hotels and frequent the bars and restaurants along the Paseo Maritimo, witness these parties and end up having a negative experience of Palma. Some visitors post critical comments on the hotels website which frustrates the hotels and local businesses.
Palma City Council has said that it is working on the matter. Currently there is no legislation against large numbers of people gathering on the streets to enjoy themselves, but there is a law against unacceptable levels of noise and rubbish.
