On February 8, a protest against the proposed new Palma Citizens Ordinance was called by two organizations representing: Campervan and caravan users. These are recreational users and people living in campers do not want to participate in this protest.
Both groups oppose provisions in the ordinance that affect campers. However, there are completely different reasons for this opposition. Javier González, representative of people living in motorhomes in Son Guels (Palma), explains why: “We want to distance ourselves from the association’s protests. They have tourist and recreational purposes. What they are complaining about is a trivial issue. 90% of campervan and caravan users in Palma have a problem, and that is housing on the island. ”
Gonzalez said the only thing caravan “tourists” care about is the fact that it’s difficult to park in the same spot for up to 10 days in a row. “That’s a minor problem compared to our problem. Our use is residential, not recreational. They want to park their cars next to the beach, but they’re tourists. We’re here. I have no choice but to live in unaffordable housing”
The campervan residents of Son Güels, Son Hugo and Ciutat Jaldi have been talking to each other, and they have made it clear that what the association wants is “not our fight.” “Groups have called for demonstrations on the 8th, and they plan to cause traffic jams throughout the city,” he said. Mr. Gonzalez is people living in a camper It is on the rise. “This week, a young couple with a one-year-old child came and asked us what it’s like to live in a campervan. Their problem is that they don’t have access to an apartment.” Contacted with the city hall administration However, Gonzalez said City Hall has not been very responsive to dialogue. Opposition parties are listening, he added.
At the end of 2024, researchers from the Department of Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands published a study on campervan occupants. Researchers counted the total 150 campers83 of which were residential. The locations were Son Hugo (the largest of all settlements), Son Guells, Ciutat Jaldi, La Villeta, and Cas Catala (Calvia).
