SUNBED WARS
Brit tourists warned of ‘sunlounger shortage’ on much-loved Spanish beaches this summer
Holidaymakers have were seen marking their territories early morning
TOURISTS have been warned of "sunlounger shortage" at a popular Spanish resort beach.
Hoteliers in Majorca are worried about the lack of available sun beds and other services for tourists coming in to visit in peak season.
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Beaches of Cala San Vicenç, Albercuix and Tamarells in Pollensa do not have proper sunbeds or umbrellas for tourists to take sunbaths, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
Jaume Salas, president of the hoteliers in town, said: "Families, who come with children and with elderly people, want to be able to lie on a sun bed and enjoy some shade.
"Many of the users have opted to go to Alcudia, for all the amenities that its beach services."
However, Jaume added that the mayor of the town Martí March is "aware of the situation" and is supporting hotel businessmen.
"The mayor has shown us his support and is doing everything possible to expedite the procedures," he added.
It comes as tourists were left battling for the best spot on the beach not with sun loungers - but by reserving parasols.
Majorca residents claim they are now getting up at the crack of dawn to reserve their straw-covered beach umbrellas on the first row, just inches from the sea.
Many foreign holidaymakers are marking their territory in the early morning, with dozens of umbrellas being taken way before the crowds arrive.
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"While half of Majorca is still asleep, the towel war is already beginning in Playa de Palma," says the Spanish press.
"Not only have German holidaymakers 'reserved' their sun loungers at the hotel pools at dawn but have now also moved this habit to the beach.
"With towels hanging on the parasols in the early morning, the tourists secure the best spots right by the sea."
Images from local media were taken at the weekend near a leading hotel in Playa de Palma much favoured by German tourists.
By early morning, just over a dozen parasols had been "occupied".
Palma City Council provides the rental service for sunloungers and parasols on this stretch of beach through an external company between 10am and 7pm, with a daily fee.
As a rule, employees are on site from 8.30am, opening the sun loungers and distributing them.
In the evening, they are stacked an
Sunlounger battles are resurfacing once again in hotel resorts - with tourists already being slammed for their rude techniques.
Brits on holiday are often seen trying to "hog" loungers, with some arriving as early as 6am to nab a spot.
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Meanwhile, two British tourists were kicked off their sun loungers by security for trying to hog them too early.
The pair were spotted trying to reserve two loungers at 8:40am, against the rules of the hotel.
How long can you reserve a sunlounger for?
Etiquette expert William Hanson, reckons there is a 30-minute grace period on poolside reservations.
He said: "In the morning, at the start of the day, and you're by the pool after breakfast, then it's fine at 8.30 to put your towel on the bed to reserve your spot."
"But later on in the day after you've used the lounger, and go off for a massage, for example, which is going to be an hour, then you can't use a towel to reserve the sun lounger."
If you're grabbing some grub at lunchtime, William said holidaymakers are allowed to eat at the hotel bar or restaurant providing you're not gone longer than 30 minutes.
He said: "It also gives your towel time to dry off."
William said despite the grace period, "You can't hog the sun lounger for the entire day."