The Councillor for Economic Promotion and Tourism of the Palamós City Council, Antoni Bachiller, has emphasized the need for tourist municipalities on the Costa Brava to move towards a model that prioritizes the quality of services over constant visitor growth. In an interview, Bachiller summarized this philosophy with the phrase: "It's no longer about more, but about less, but better".
Bachiller pointed out that the months of July and August concentrate significant strain on public and private services, making it difficult to offer the experience sought by increasingly demanding visitors. This situation necessitates rethinking the municipality's tourism promotion policies.
The arrival of cruise ships is a key factor in maintaining economic activity for a significant part of the year. For 2026, Palamós expects to receive 65 cruise calls, about twenty of which have already occurred. The councillor highlights their impact outside the high season, as they contribute to generating commercial activity during the autumn months. He also emphasized the role of second homes as a strategic element for the local economy, noting that many of these visitors maintain an emotional connection with the municipality.
The recent Prawn Fair received a very positive evaluation, with a large public turnout and the exhaustion of the gastronomic offerings. However, the success has highlighted the need to review organizational aspects, such as expanding space and streamlining logistics to reduce queues and crowds.
In the commercial sphere, Palamós's main challenges continue to be competition from e-commerce and large shopping centers, as well as the need to professionalize the sector. Generational succession also presents complexities, as younger generations have different labor alternatives.
These reflections come ahead of the Sant Joan festival, which this year will see the return of the amusement fair in a new location next to the bus station.
