Tourists baffled by Magaluf's 5 million beach transformation

A multi-million pound project to transform Magaluf's famous long beach and promenade have stirred controversy due to the inclusion of palm trees and sand DUNES! Calvia council insists the oases are an integral part of the major scheme, the first part of which is due to be inaugurated on June 22nd after a year of intensive work.

But locals and tourists say they are not convinced about the inclusion of sand dunes and 48 palm trees right on the beachfront, with some claiming it has turned the area into Morocco or even Miami! And they say the collection of oases will take away the view from many restaurants which overlook the sea, lessens the space on the already saturated beach and will soon be washed away in any case by the tides and any storms.

"Palm tree oasis on the beach? That has never happened in Mallorca," commented one person on the social network. If before in season that beach was full and there was nowhere to put everyone, now they have taken away one more trace of the beach. Who comes up with this great idea? Who accepted this project? " posted another.

And another under-impressed added: "I don't know that this is better. Now those who want to do evil can hide it behind the dunes. Before, when everything was flat, I had a view from one side to the other."

Others have likened it to Miami or Morocco "with camels coming next!" But Calvia council, which looks after Magaluf, has defended the design, saying the sand dunes are very low and have been reduced from the original five dunes to just two.

In a statement, the authority said: "The first phase of the remodelling of the Magaluf Promenade – Paseo Gabriel Escarrer Juliá – faces the final stretch of the works that will be formally inaugurated on 22 June. The EU-funded project has been tailored to EU requirements by creating a natural environment with low-impact dunes, palm trees and drought-resistant flora, and a water collection and use system to reduce the use of drinking water."

"The dunes have been delimited with the planting of reeds and other species. The maximum height of the rooms does not exceed 80 cms, which avoids visual impact. Thus, from the promenade and the terraces of the first line establishments, the landscape and the view of the sea are not obstructed. 48 palm trees have been planted grouped in small oases."

"Along the promenade, a rainwater collection system has been installed that is processed in situ in small treatment plants. The water obtained is used to irrigate the dune vegetation."

The works have a subsidy of 4 million euros from the Next Generation EU Funds of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of the Balearic Islands through Sustainable Balearic Islands. Thanks to the ITS (Sustainable Tourism Tax) funds, an additional 1 million euros are contributed.

Locals have also reacted to the time it has taken to do the project which has caused considerable disruption to seafront bars and restaurants, with various closures and diversions. The transformation is also late as the council had promised it would be ready for the start of the tourist season, not the end of June.