As over tourism rows continue to rage on in Spain there’s a panic that spending in Majorca’s bars and restaurants has plummeted.
Protests across Spain and Majorca have painted an unwelcoming picture for many potential tourists to the island – with many locals concerned about the environmental impact of mass tourism as well as the impact it’s having on housing markets.
But it seems like the anti-tourism sentiment hasn’t had the desired effect with an overall increase in visitor numbers, who are spending less in the island’s hospitality businesses.
New records show that while there’s been a drop in the number of British tourists and visitors from mainland Spain to Majorca, there’s been a surge in German tourists – but they’re not spending as much while they’re there due to increased hotel prices.
The managing editor of the Majorca Daily Bulletin Jason Moore wrote about the issue for his publication.
He wrote that a “record number of tourists came to Mallorca on holiday last summer” but says that bar and restaurant takings are down by at least 20 percent – and that he’s very concerned given the tourism industry employs 50,000 people on the islands.
Mr Moore said: “Tourists came on holiday but with higher hotel prices their budget was limited. It was a question of full hotels and half-empty bars and restaurants.”
He also said that the number of British tourists going to the Balearics in July was down by 10 percent and the number of Spanish mainlanders fell by 13 percent but added that there was a big increase in German tourism.
He added: “For Mallorca, at a time when a sizeable number of local residents are complaining about too many tourists, it was a worst-case scenario last summer; more tourists but spending less.
“What the majority of people want is less tourists spending more.”
In a letter published by the same publication in early September, one unnamed British holidaymaker told the newspaper of the problems they have encountered in their most recent visit.
The author of the letter, who asked for their name to not be disclosed in the newspaper, wrote that their pregnant daughter had “Tourists go home” shouted at her when she responded to a question on where she was from whilst sitting in traffic.
The writer of the letter said they and their family had been holidaying in Majorca for two decades before this incident but now “no longer feel welcome” on the island.
The tourist wrote: “I am afraid that after returning home and reflecting on the event and with very heavy hearts we feel inclined to find a new destination to visit in the future.
“We no longer feel welcome on the beautiful island of Majorca.”