Latest news with #JuanmiFerrer
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Worst start to season for years' in Spain as restaurant bookings down 50%
There is panic on one popular island after a huge slump in customers amid rising anti-tourism protests Restaurant bookings on a holiday hotspot Spanish island have dropped by around 50 per cent according to industry figures and given the sector the 'worst start to the season' in years. Restaurant owners are reportedly in panic as weekend trade has also taken a dip. The president of Majorca's restaurant association, Restauración CAEB, has described the diminishing numbers as 'very bad'. It is thought the downturn in business is down to a mixture of higher fees, stricter regulations on establishments and anti-visitor sentiment in Majorca. President Juanmi Ferrer told the island's Majorca Daily Bulletin that weeknight reservations have dipped by about 50 per cent in areas frequented by tourists and weekend trade is 10 per cent lower than last years. The hospitality sector appears to have been affected by a raft of anti-tourism demonstrations which have taken place across Spain, including the Balearic islands, reports The Express. Business from tourists makes up around 45 per cent of the island's GDP but visitors are facing increased red tape, new rules and fees too. Majorca Increased footfall has been disastrous for its housing market and vulnerable infrastructure. Locals have taken to the streets numerous times over the last year calling for better protection against the tide of globetrotters and second home owners. Travellers flocking to the Balearic island during peak season will also be subject to an extra £5 per night under the local Government's new tourist tax. Mr Ferrer said May 1 and May 2 had brought normal levels of trade, but "the rest of the month has been lamentable". "We don't expect the situation to improve, at least until May 25," he said. "We're writing off the month. We didn't expect this start to the season: you have to go back many years to find one this bad." He said that the bad weather might also be having an impact May seeing flooding and torrential rain. But he admitted that trade seemed to be on the downturn, with last year's incomings worse than in 2023. Restauración CAEB warned of a 20 per cent revenue drop in the first quarter of 2025 earlier this month - echoing the 20 per cent drop also recorded in June 2024, which was attributed to lower tourist spending. Mr Ferrer has described the hospitality industry as Majorca's "leading economic barometer" and warned that a consistent decrease in trading figures "will inevitably effect the entire local economy". Despite the apparently alarm-raising news, overall tourism to the Balearics broke previous records in the first few months of 2025, with over 800,000 international travellers landing on the archipelago between January and March, a rise of nearly 4 per cent on last year. "In terms of spending, we are not seeing an increase, but quite the opposite, a decrease," Mr Ferrer warned. "We have more people spending less, it seems." As well as being discouraged from longer stays by tourist tax policies and hostile locals, holidaymakers have pointed the finger of blame at rising prices in Majorca's hospitality sector. But the very visible protests are also taking their toll. Last week the Spanish Tourist Board mounted a damage limitation offensive saying the country still welcomes tourists. Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London said it is "important to distinguish between specific local tensions and the broader national picture. "The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists."
Edinburgh Live
16-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Spanish tourist hotspot hit with slump in bookings as restaurants empty and sales down
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Restaurant proprietors in Majorca are facing a crisis due to a slump in tourist bookings, believed to be caused by inflated fees, tightening regulations and growing hostility towards visitors. The president of the island's restaurant association Restauración CAEB has described the first half of May as "very bad" for the local hospitality industry. Juanmi Ferrer communicated to the Majorca Daily Bulletin that evening bookings have plummeted by up to 50% in areas popular with tourists, while weekend business has also suffered, witnessing around a 10% decrease compared to the previous year. This downturn in trade from holidaymakers – who contribute about 45% to the island's economic output – is happening amid enhanced bureaucratic hurdles, fresh impositions and charges, and frequent anti-tourism protests. An increase in visitor numbers has had adverse effects on Majorca's housing and infrastructure, prompting residents to protest multiple times in the last twelve months, demanding better safeguards against the influx of tourists and second property purchasers. Holiday-goers visiting the Balearic island at peak times are now also facing an additional nightly fee of £5, courtesy of the regional government's new tourist levy. Mr Ferrer remarked the month began with acceptable levels of activity on May 1 and May 2, but stated that "the rest of the month has been lamentable", reports the Express. He expressed little hope for improvement until after May 25, confessing, "We're writing off the month. We didn't expect this start to the season: you have to go back many years to find one this bad." The hospitality chief noted a worrying slump in business potentially due to poor weather affecting Spain recently, while also conceding that trade appears to be waning, with last year's earnings falling short of 2023's figures. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Restauración CAEB reported earlier this month on a troubling 20% revenue dip in the first quarter of 2025, echoing a similar fall in June 2024, linked to decreased tourist expenditure. Mr Ferrer has referred to the hospitality sector as Majorca's "leading economic barometer", cautioning that persistent downturns in trade "will inevitably effect the entire local economy". Despite concerning signals, tourism in the Balearics hit an all-time high in early 2025, drawing over 800,000 international visitors from January to March, up almost 4% from the previous year. Mr Ferrer highlighted a troubling trend where visitor numbers are up yet spending is down: "In terms of spending, we are not seeing an increase, but quite the opposite, a decrease," he said. "We have more people spending less, it seems." Tourists are reportedly being put off by factors including the tourist tax, unfriendly locals, and inflation within Majorca's hospitality trade, as one frustrated Brit lamented about the industry "biting the hand" that feeds it.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK tourists in Spain must pay €40 'before arrival' because it is 'only solution'
UK tourists in Spain must pay £34 BEFORE arriving at restaurants in a brutal blow. An increasing number of restaurants are requesting that tourists including Brits pay before arrival with some establishments requiring £34 (40 euros) when booking. President of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Juanmi Ferrer, said: 'The owner of the establishment is usually at the cash register.' Ferrer says it is "the only solution to be able to stay open". Defending the charge, one said: "If you make a reservation you will be asked to leave a deposit. Nobody is being asked to leave a deposit or pay upfront if you walk in. Some places that before would have run a tab, without knowing you, now may ask you to pay as you order. READ MORE: UK tourists warned to complete travel action to avoid £150,000 charge READ MORE: Jet2 passengers wanting last-minute seat switch warned of little-known rule READ MORE UK facing NEW mini-heatwave with 'hottest hour' set to roast England "Especially if they don't know you, something that happens a lot at holiday destinations. That way they can staff accordingly so the guest are treated properly. It's done all over the world." A second said: "I would go to the Supermarket and prepare my own meals before paying up front, you have no idea of the quality of the food or service beforehand. It's not for the Customer to take the risks, if they are worried about people bailing, have doorstaff and ask to see the receipt before leaving." A third typed: "Must be isolated cases, many bars and restaurants are reverting to 'cash only'. Their reasoning is that customers complain about transaction charges on card payments, presumably they've never heard of Revolute of similar. "I suspect the real reason is more to do with tax evasion." Another said: "The problem of people booking and not turning up is costly for restaurants and is increasing in numbers. "Therefore it makes sense for a restaurant to require a credit card guarantee when accepting a booking." Another asked "who books" when on holiday, urging Brits to "walk in" instead.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Spain's £34 restaurant 'rule' for tourists before they've even ordered a drink
Tourists face being asked to stump up 40 euros when they book a table for dinner Holidaymakers in Spain who want to book a restaurant for dinner are being warned they could be asked to cough up £34 before they've even had a drink. Restaurants in some Spanish resorts are charging diners upon booking amid panic over tourists spending less and an increasing number of no-shows. And the practice is said to be becoming more widespread as businesses battle to stay afloat in the cost of living crisis. More and more restaurants are asking visitors to commit to a certain amount when reserving a table. This is due to customers watching their bank balance and spending less, an increasing number of no shows and the hospitality industry struggling to find staff. A combination of high living costs and a lack of affordable housing is believed to be the reason behind staff shortages which have seen restaurants in a popular holiday hotspot have to reduce opening hours, reports The Express. Staff shortages have ravaged the island of Majorca in since 2022. The chaos of Covid was the real beginning of Majorca's staff shortages as many of the eateries rely on the tens of millions of tourists who visit Majorca annually. While the 40 euro (£34) charge would be deducted from the final bill, it is still unclear how customers will react to having to hand over a sum of money when they book. The purpose is to ensure that reservations are kept and to help establishments manage demand in peak season. And according to Euro Weekly News, if you did have to cancel a reservation which you have paid a deposit for for a reason such as illness or an accident, the restaurant would have to refund it. Staff shortages are also seeing a rise in the number of bars and restaurant making the move to self-payment systems. This includes the option to pay your bill through a QR code. President of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Juanmi Ferrer said he believes that for many establishments it is "the only solution to be able to stay open". But the changes to how holidaymakers pay a bill could lead to more cashless bars and restaurants leaving British tourists with less option to pay in cash. And that means tourists would need to check if any fees apply to using their credit or debit card while abroad. Ferrer said that another option for many restaurants is to move to a method where customers pay at the till instead of paying at their table. This is more widely done in countries like Italy. And he said that 85 per cent of diners in Italy make payment at the till when they arrive. Anselmo Cardona, the manager of Can Joan de s'Aigo cafe in Palma, Majorca said: "In the hospitality industry, human warmth will always be necessary", but also admitted that "automation is unstoppable". He believes that tech-based changes in ordering and paying will mostly influence casual dining spots, while high-end bars and restaurants are likely to maintain classic service models.
