Unacceptable attire in Palma’s shopping district
Credit: Facebook
There has been growing outrage within Mallorca’s social media groups over tourists walking the streets in swimwear.
A Changing Social Landscape
The social landscape of Mallorca changes overnight with the start of the summer season. Areas where locals live, work, and children go to school, become suddenly populated with barely clothed tourists.
Residents expect visitors to enjoy the island’s stunning beaches and pool areas in swimwear but is it acceptable to wear as little as possible away from the water?
Carolyn Becker from Peguera says, “There has been a cultural shift among tourists in recent years. They feel increasingly entitled to enter a supermarket in a bikini, or with a bare chest. Shops are having to designate staff members to turn people away who are trying to enter in swimwear. The same with restaurants. Business owners are taking a stand and refusing entry to those who are not dressed appropriately but it’s a constant problem.”
There are several reasons why wearing swimwear while walking Mallorca’s streets is generally considered inappropriate and irresponsible:
Cultural Sensitivity
Mallorca has cultural norms and expectations regarding appropriate attire. Wearing few clothes away from the beach or pool can be seen as disrespectful to local customs and sensibilities.
Local Regulations
Some areas of Mallorca have regulations prohibiting swimwear in certain public spaces. Failing to adhere to these rules can contribute to a negative view of tourists.
Respect for Residents
Tourists should remember that they are guests in Mallorca; walking around in swimwear in areas where locals live and work can be disruptive and offensive. It shows a lack of consideration for the daily lives of residents.
Resident Cecile Gamst Berg feels that Spain’s islands need to approach negativity towards tourists with caution – “When I first arrived here in 2018, it was ‘Tourists Go Home’ on every wall. Covid and the subsequent killing of small businesses put paid to that.”
Ron Clarke from Santa Ponsa says We want tourists to come to Mallorca, enjoy the sunshine, relax and have fun. Just put some clothes on! Would you go to Waitrose in a thong back home?
Business owners and official bodies are keen to strike a balance between the needs of locals and the wants of visitors. With movements across Spain to restore equilibrium gaining momentum, it feels as though Spanish tourism is on the cusp of change.
Sign up for personalised news
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our
Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Leave a comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Website
Comment for robots
Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE!
Covering the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Almeria, Axarquia, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home.
With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close.
Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE.
Sign up for personalised news
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Close
