British tourists shun Spanish resort, leaving it eerily empty as other Europeans take over
Miguel Perez-Marsa, president of the island's ABONE nightclub and entertainment association, has said business is booming in the German-popular party resort of Playa de Palma but Brits are being demonised
A popular Spanish holiday island typically thronged with British tourists has been photographed looking eerily deserted. Miguel Perez-Marsa, president of the island's ABONE nightclub and entertainment association, recently told local media that business is thriving in the German-favourite party hotspot of Playa de Palma, near the Majorcan capital.
However, he claimed that young Brits are increasingly shunning Magaluf, an area once dominated by British holidaymakers during the summer season, suggesting that they have been "demonised." On Wednesday, dozens of beach sun loungers lay vacant as thousands of Spanish teenagers from Valencia, celebrating the end of their school exams, descended upon the resort.
Some bar owners even admitted to adjusting their opening hours to accommodate the changing demographics of their clientele, reports the Mirror.
According to Mr Perez-Marsa, the void left by the departing British tourists is being filled by French and Italian visitors, who tend to drink less and spend less on nightlife than their UK counterparts.
He further alleged that British youngsters, who have traditionally flocked to Magaluf's vibrant Punta Ballena party strip, have been "steam-rollered" by the island authorities.
Additionally, Mr Perez-Marsa noted an increase in British families visiting Magaluf, but lamented that they often opt for all-inclusive packages, resulting in reduced spending outside of their hotels.
Magaluf's notorious party hotspot faced scrutiny when Majorca's then-top politician, Jose Ramon Bauza, branded Punta Ballena "500 metres of shame".
The condemnation followed a distressing incident involving an 18 year old girl duped into performing sex acts for what was promised to be a free holiday but turned out to be a cocktail dubbed 'Holiday'.
Steep fines up to £50,000 were enforced on tourists involved in balcony jumping, and limitations imposed on alcohol provision with meals at all-inclusive hotels in areas like Magaluf via a regional government ordinance aimed at curbing 'drunken tourism', instituted five years prior.
The previous year witnessed even harsher crackdowns, with £1,300 fines for public drinking and obligatory night-time closures for shops selling alcohol in specific zones of Magaluf.
Despite these measures, British holidaymakers continue to constitute a substantial portion of Magaluf's and, more extensively, Majorca's visitor economy.
Each year, the island greets over 2.3 million British visitors, which represents nearly 26% of total tourist numbers.
Germans still claim the lion's share with over 3.4 million visitors or 40% of the total, followed by approximately 340,000 Scandinavians, 238,000 French nationals, 160,000 Swiss, and 136,000 Irish.
Calvia's Mayor, Juan Antonio Amengual, affirmed last year that "all Brits are welcome" in Magalluf.
Addressing concerns of 'tourismphobia' due to conduct issues with some tourists – unequivocally not the majority - he maintained: "We want people to enjoy their holidays with respect between tourists and residents."
Magaluf is on the western coast of Majorca. It has less than 4,000 permanent residents.
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