The Bishopric of Mallorca has been illegally operating a hotel with 120 rooms and vacation apartments within the sanctuary of Lluc, in the municipality of Escorca. The Council of Mallorca, with delegated responsibilities in tourism inspection, has opened a sanctioning process against the sanctuary’s lodging, owned by the diocese, after two tourism inspectors found irregularities during a visit in April as part of a campaign against illegal marketing of vacation spots. The hotel advertises its 268 tourism spots on platforms like Booking.com, offering a room for 208 euros with breakfast included, situated within the spiritual complex of the Lluc sanctuary, featuring various accommodations and amenities.
Despite operating for years as a regular hotel, the property is not registered in the official record of tourism establishments maintained by the Council of Mallorca as required by Balearic Tourism Law. This registration, initiated through a responsible declaration of activity commencement, is crucial for businesses to start operations and acknowledge compliance with necessary regulations. In April, inspectors found that the Lluc sanctuary hotel was not registered due to the absence of this declaration upon their visit, leading to the initiation of a sanctioning process following a previous complaint in 2022.
The infractions committed by the Bishopric may be considered serious, carrying potential penalties of up to 400,000 euros or even temporary suspension of activities. While the diocese claims to have not received formal notification of the sanctioning process, they acknowledge the visit by inspectors and their report. The Bishopric asserts their commitment to adapting the sanctuary facilities to comply with tourism regulations, aiming to rectify any identified infractions and operate within legal parameters.
News of the sanctioning process comes shortly after the Bishop of Mallorca, Sebastià Taltavull, urged the Council to address traffic regulation and cycling congestion on the island’s roads. Taltavull expressed concern over the overcrowding and difficulties accessing the sanctuary due to the high volume of cyclists on the roads, emphasizing the need for smooth transportation. The Council of Mallorca refutes claims of inspection as retaliation for the Bishop’s statements, highlighting the routine nature of the inspection and the significant number of inspections conducted throughout April.
In spite of the ongoing legal proceedings, the Lluc sanctuary is striving to comply with tourism regulations and address any shortcomings identified during the inspection. The Bishopric of Mallorca remains focused on rectifying any violations and ensuring that the sanctuary operates in accordance with legal standards. The outcome of the sanctioning process will determine the penalties or corrective measures to be implemented, emphasizing the importance of adhering to tourism laws and regulations to maintain transparency and legality in the operation of hospitality establishments within the region.
