Many tourists, predominantly German, are using a new technique to secure spots on the beach right by the water edge, causing outrage by many locals and other holidaymakers
German tourists are claiming beach spots in Majorca, Spain by marking their territory with towels in a new way at the crack of dawn.
Many foreign holidaymakers, said to be predominantly German, are marking their territory in the early morning, with dozens of umbrellas being ‘reserved’ before the crowds arrive.
Holidaymakers in Majorca are heading to Playa de Palma beach early to snatch up a spot on the beach by hanging their towel on a parasol. It is believed that holidaymakers, once having ‘reserved’ a parasol, head back to their accommodation to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, knowing they have already got a spot on the beach for later.
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Palma city council provides the rental service for sun loungers and parasols on this stretch of beach through an external company, which maintains the service. They are subject to a daily fee, between 10am and 7pm. As a rule, employees are on site from 8.30am, opening the sun loungers and distributing them. In the evening, they are stacked and closed.
A German resident who has lived on Playa de Palma for years expressed outrage, telling the Majorca Magazine: “You can find it all over the Playa!”
Responding to the report by Inselradio, others said “I would throw these towels into the sea!” and “I am embarrassed by something like this.”
“A totally bad habit,” said another. “Securing sun loungers with a towel in the early morning is absolutely inconsiderate and absolutely not acceptable. If no one blocks sun loungers with towels in the morning, everyone can have one. After all, we all want the same thing: a relaxing holiday.”
Another angered local said: “This has been happening all my life in Benidorm. What surprises me is that it has taken so long to reach Palma.”
Injecting some humour into the situation, a resident commented in a post: “They are looking for their perfect selfie in the front line. Then a Mallorcan like me arrives and I put my Decathlon umbrella, a Chinese lounge chair and even my mother-in-law in front of them, if I can, blocking their view of the shore!”
Reserving sun loungers next to the pool has already been seen at many hotels, where guests will lay down a towel on a sunbed to imply it is reserved. This has been the cause of a long running source of tension between those who enjoy a lie in while on holiday, and those willing to beat the rush in the small hours.
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