The consuls of France, Morocco, Austria, and the Czech Republic share their views on the challenges facing island society
From left to right: Carlos Anglada, Honorary Consul of Austria; Michel Magnier, Honorary Consul of France; José Eduardo Iglesias, Director of the Mallorca Global agency; Abdellah Bidoud, Consul General of Morocco; Dalibor Čiak, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic; and Miguel Ángel Cortés, Delegate for Promotion, Trade and Digital Management of the Ajuntament d’Inca, took part in the roundtable discussion “Mallorca in Focus: Building Bridges for the Future”. Photos: Piter Castillo.
With the aim of opening spaces for dialogue and reflection on the present and future of the island, the panel “Mallorca in Focus: Building Bridges for the Future” was held on May 8 at the Puro Hotel Oasis Urbano in Palma. The initiative, promoted and organised by the Mallorca Global agency, with the sponsorship of the Ajuntament d’Inca, brought together Michel Magnier, honorary consul of France; Abdellah Bidoud, consul general of Morocco; Carlos Anglada, honorary consul of Austria; and Dalibor Čiak, honorary consul of the Czech Republic, in a meeting that addressed some of the major challenges the island currently faces. During an hour and a half of lively discussion, moderated by the director of Mallorca Global, José Eduardo Iglesias, and with the participation of the delegate for Promotion, Trade, and Digital Management of the Ajuntament d’Inca, Miguel Ángel Cortés, key topics such as the impact of mass tourism and its perception among tourists and residents, immigration and the integration of foreign communities, and the fight against crime were covered. The event concluded in a relaxed atmosphere, with all the participants sharing a meal and conversation at Sukalde restaurant.
El dinámico debate entre los cónsules tuvo como escenario Puro House, el ala más exclusiva de Puro Hotel Oasis Urbano de Palma.
TURISM AND OVERCROWDING
The phenomenon of overcrowding is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues in Mallorca. However, for Michel Magnier, this problem has a “strong psychological component” and is “magnified to an extent that is unjustified,” as “there is not enough objective data” to support it. In fact, his compatriots, both residents and visitors — “I prefer the word ‘visitors’ over ‘tourists’, because sometimes the latter carries an unfavourable connotation” — do not share this negative perception. “I have not received any complaints, and it doesn’t bother them, let’s say, in an absolute sense, except for specifics such as access to housing or mobility problems,” he explained.
The honorary consul of France, Michel Magnier, during one of his speeches.
Magnier attributed the pressure on the island to population growth: “It has almost doubled in 15 years, and the vehicle-to-family ratio has risen from 1.3 to almost 2.4. We have traffic jams in January and February, before the high season even begins. That shows that the problem is not caused by visitors,” he emphasised. Magnier referred to the need to create an observatory to measure the level of visitor satisfaction before and after their experience on the island, in order to verify how they rate it.
Dalibor Čiak agreed with his French colleague, pointing out that the real problem is not tourism, but the “lack of planning in infrastructure, public transport, and urban management on the island.” In his view, it is not possible to talk about real overcrowding when Mallorca has about 240 inhabitants per km², a figure that can double in the summer, but still remains far from other urban realities. “In Monaco, 17,000 people live per km², and in Singapore, with a surface area similar to Menorca, almost 6 million — around 8,000 people per km² — and everything works,” he noted. For the Czech consul, the tendency to demonise tourism is more a matter of emotional perception than objective facts, and he reminded that “tourism has profoundly enriched the island.”
For his part, Carlos Anglada emphasised the role of the media, especially in the German-speaking world, in shaping the perception of overcrowding in Mallorca. He stated that tourism-phobia “is very tempting for the press,” particularly in Germany, where tensions are exaggerated to attract an audience. “Tabloids have even gone as far as to headline ‘Mallorca doesn’t want us,’ but that’s more a media narrative than reality,” he pointed out. In contrast, he noted that Austrians approach the issue with more detachment and see it as a local problem. “It’s those of us who live here who perceive that overcrowding on the island is increasing,” Anglada concluded.
Michel Magnier: Overcrowding has a strong psychological component. There is not enough objective data to support it
Abdellah Bidoud explained that, unlike other nationalities, tourism from Morocco to Mallorca is very limited, and that “Moroccans come to work.” He highlighted that each season, over 6,000 Moroccan residents travel from the mainland to the islands to work in sectors such as construction or agriculture. “They face challenges such as access to housing, being condemned to renting a bed rather than a room,” he said.
THE CHALLENGES OF LABOUR AND RESIDENTIAL IMMIGRATION
Abdellah Bidoud, Consul General of Morocco, warned about the lack of recognition for the labour contribution of the Moroccan community.
Abdellah Bidoud focused on the integration challenges faced by the Moroccan community in the Balearic Islands, a community which “is very reserved and silent.” Many of its members work in essential sectors and face exhausting workdays that hinder their social and linguistic integration. “There is a lot of talk about mosques or Ramadan, but little about their daily effort to put food on the table,” he stated. In his opinion, there is a lack of visibility and recognition of their contribution, given that “if Moroccans stopped working, everything would stop in Mallorca,” and he lamented the lack of real intercultural exchange. He cited as a positive example the initiative of the Mayor of Inca, who promoted a forum to showcase the historical and cultural richness of this community.
Furthermore, Bidoud warned about the social consequences of this isolation, because “due to their workload, many neglect family responsibilities,” which leads to problems such as school failure or the limited integration of women, which he described as “harmful aspects.” He emphasised that school failure, in particular, is “a failure of society as a whole,” since these children will grow up as non-assimilated Spanish citizens. Bidoud called for institutions not to neglect the Moroccan community and to open spaces to clarify cultural and religious concepts that are often misunderstood, such as the true meaning of Ramadan, “which is not just about fasting, but also about forgiveness and mutual respect.”
Abdellah Bidoud: The academic failure of Moroccan children is a failure of society as a whole, because they will grow up as non-assimilated citizens
On the other hand, the communities of European residents face different challenges. Carlos Anglada highlighted that, although Austrian residents in the Balearic Islands “integrate very well into society,” there is a challenge with the children of foreign nationals in general. “Most of the foreign residents here with a certain purchasing power send their children to international schools,” which gives them less access to the culture, history, and traditions of Mallorca. Anglada considered that “it would be very positive if these schools promoted greater cultural integration,” allowing foreign children to “immerse themselves in the rich Mallorcan culture.”
The honorary consul of the Czech Republic, Dalibor Čiak, stated that firmer action should be taken against illegal squatting.
For his part, Dalibor Čiak recalled the difficulties faced by Czech citizens in the 1990s when coming to Mallorca, when it was necessary to apply for a visa and sign a commitment to return. “We brought money, work for ourselves and for the local people,” he explained, and acknowledged that seeing people today who “don’t come to contribute, but to live off the system, it‘s hurtful.” With the Czech Republic’s entry into the EU, the migration process was facilitated, allowing for smoother integration. “Czechs integrate and become part of society,” he stated. Čiak pointed out that immigrants should arrive “with good intentions, not thinking that here you can squat a house and nothing will happen.” In his view, the authorities and law enforcement should take a firmer stance against illegal squatting, a phenomenon that is “incomprehensible” to many foreigners. He insisted that, in a context of skilled labour shortages, immigration should be seen as an opportunity, provided it is based “on respect and the willingness to contribute.”
Dalibor Čiak: Immigration should be seen as an opportunity in the face of the shortage of skilled workers
Michel Magnier claimed the need for the French community in Mallorca to move beyond its “invisibility,” a consequence of such strong integration that “we assimilate so much that we disappear.” While he valued this ability to adapt as a virtue, he warned that it can also be a flaw if it means renouncing one’s own identity. “We must not forget our DNA, our way of seeing the world. Coming out of invisibility is not incompatible with integration,” he stated. Additionally, he called for greater visibility for the French language and culture on the island, particularly in tourist sectors where France represents a growing market. “It’s incomprehensible that there isn’t even a menu in French,” he concluded.
MALLORCA, A SAFE DESTINATION
The consuls agreed in highlighting the excellent collaboration of the Spanish security forces with their European counterparts, also valuing the coordination, quick response, and treatment received in emergency or conflict situations.
Carlos Anglada, honorary consul of Austria, during the roundtable discussion.
Dalibor Čiak acknowledged that, although thefts do occur, “Mallorca is a very safe destination compared to others.” He explained that, in response to the issue of lost documents, a system has developed to allow “airlines to permit travel with just the police report,” thus avoiding the need for emergency passports, which requires significant effort from an office with limited resources.
Carlos Anglada: Communication with the local security forces and prison authorities is excellent
Michel Magnier underlined the negative impact that thefts have on visitors, especially those who lose important documents such as passports. According to him, “a person who experiences a bad experience is someone who will leave traumatised,” and, if the theft occurs at the beginning of their stay, many tourists may not even consider continuing their visit. He stressed the importance of proper treatment by the security forces, ensuring that “if the person who has lost their documents is not treated well, they will not return to the islands.” Magnier explained that an empathetic approach can change the perception: “If it’s done the other way around, with effort and attention, the visitor will say they had a bad experience, but that everything was resolved well thanks to the local authorities, and that will make them the best ambassador for our tourist destination.” Additionally, he commented on the importance of mixed security patrols: “These patrols, which include officers from other countries, are a strong signal of collaboration and the homogenisation of the European territory.”
For his part, Carlos Anglada also highlighted the smooth relationship with the security forces and public administrations, stating that “communication is really good” and that significant progress has been made compared to past situations. He also praised the treatment received from the prison authorities, which he described as “excellent,” even considering the low number of Austrians involved.
THE CLOSURE, AT SUKALDE
The event concluded with a lively lunch at Sukalde, an elegant restaurant located in Puro Grand Hotel, in the heart of Palma’s historic centre. With a concept that blends Basque culinary tradition with a contemporary approach, this new project by Grupo La Vasca provided the ideal setting to close a day of reflection and dialogue in a more informal tone.
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