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Tourists beware! Imagine: you are walking along Torrevieja's promenade on the first day of your well-deserved holiday and decide to buy a pair of sunglasses from one of the many vendors on this sunny morning. Oops, because that could earn you a 200 euro fine.
What is going on? Torrevieja is one of a growing number of tourist municipalities that are penalising unsuspecting holidaymakers for buying items from an illegal trader.
Tourist resorts have been struggling for years with the increasing number of vendors offering products such as clothing, footwear, bags and sunglasses without a licence.
It is not uncommon for these to be counterfeit items from well-known brands. The logic of the dissatisfaction is understandable. These looky looky men (the common name for the vendors) are unfair competitors for local shopkeepers, who do pay taxes and rent. Moreover, the number of vendors has grown over the years and that has led to additional nuisance.
The municipality is now warning tourists with extensive information about the new 'fine policy'. In shops, on social media, LED screens and advertising boards, this is pointed out in both Spanish and English.
However, that does not mean that there is no criticism of the new policy. This criticism consists of the police's failure to put a stop to illegal trade for years. Moreover, many people are upset that the unsuspecting holidaymaker could end up paying the price.
The popular Cabo Roig strip on the Orihuela Costa also had similar problems with illegal vendors for years. However, the restaurants and bars there mainly complained about the nuisance of aggressive vendors and drug trafficking. They noticed that customers sometimes felt uncomfortable and that this was noticeable in their turnover.
The municipality of Orihuela opted for a completely different approach on the Cabo Roig strip to tackle the problem. Since 2022, there has been a craft market with licensed vendors during the tourist season. Until mid-September, they offer their goods every day from seven o'clock in the evening until midnight. This market has now been nicknamed the Aquamarina Hippies Market.
