Brit tourists abandon Majorca with restaurants left empty as island rocked by protests
Hotels in Majorca are growing increasingly worried about a decline in tourist arrivals to the holiday destination. Not only are Germans seemingly avoiding the island, but British tourists also appear to be losing interest.
The Balearic island is a favourite amongst European holidaymakers. Last year, an impressive 13.4 million tourists flocked to Majorca, including over two million Brits.
Many are drawn by the island's stunning landscapes - from sandy beaches to towering mountains - and vibrant nightlife. However, the idyllic island has been rocked by a series of protests, with tens of thousands of locals hitting the streets to express their frustration at overtourism.
Tourists are finding themselves more and more in the crosshairs of activists, who are hell-bent on generating negative publicity for the island to discourage visitors. This growing antagonism towards tourists seems to be taking its toll, with visitor numbers dropping in certain parts of the island. The resort areas hit hardest are Capdepera and Soller, says the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), reports the Express.
The worrying situation appears to be particularly problematic in the British market, which is showing signs of slow growth, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
"While we don't have official statistics yet, information from our various associations indicates that Capdepera, which heavily relies on German tourism, and Soller are experiencing the most significant drops in visitor numbers," said María José Aguiló - the vice-president of FEHM.
Pubs, cafés and eateries have all felt the impact of this peculiar mid-season slump, with outdoor seating areas sitting half-vacant. Some proprietors have reportedly even permitted employees to take time off during what would typically be amongst the peak trading weeks of the year.
"We're seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging," explained Aguiló.
FEHM's figures show that hotel occupancy levels have fallen short of projections since May, sparking concerns about what lies ahead. Nevertheless, the organisation maintains an optimistic outlook, stating it anticipates this season will match last year's performance.
During the previous year, 18.7 million holidaymakers flocked to the Balearics, splashing out a staggering €22.38 billion - representing a 12% rise. German visitors continue to be the most valuable economic demographic across the Balearic Islands. They parted with €6 billion whilst holidaying in Majorca - outspending every other nation. British travellers came second, contributing €4.38 billion.
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