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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.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Wales Online
UK tourist in Majorca 'bites back' calling island 'non tourist friendly'
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 A UK tourist has slammed the island of Majorca for being too "expensive" and "non-tourist friendly" in a letter written to a local Spanish publication. Edward Fox, a regular holidaymaker in the Spanish islands, hit out at the island following the recent string of anti-tourism protests which have swept much of Spain, including the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Demonstrations from local people have urged tourists to "go home," with some protests even reported to have grown violent, as one resident held up a sign threatening to "Kill a Tourist" in Tenerife, according to The Mirror. READ MORE: UK tourists in Canary Islands warned 'enough is enough' by anti-tourism activist In response, Edward, who often visits Majorca for up to nine weeks at a time, outlined his feelings over the continued anti-tourism marches in a brutal letter written to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, a Spanish news site for English readers. According to the publication, the Brit's "damning" letter surrounds the protests which occurred in Soller, Majorca recently. Edward explained how he has visited Majorca for 30 years and it has since become "unaffordable" for most British tourists. He said: "Over the last five or six years of me coming to Mallorca I have noticed a drastic increase in not only hotel/apartment accommodation prices but also the increase in food, drink , restaurant prices which is not reflected in the global inflation increases. "It is not in a real comparison to these increases, also the increase of the ' tourist tax' up to approx €4 per person per night is subject to an additional 10 per cent tax ( proposed ) is incredible and unaffordable for most British tourists coming to Mallorca." Edward added he believed the price hikes in Majorca had contributed to the island "losing out to South East Asian countries," for example, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines and Malaysia. He said: "I would say in South Asian countries it is much cheaper by as much at 60-70 per cent per night, and also a higher standard in South Asian countries, which are an emerging tourist market." READ MORE: Foreign Office urge UK tourists in Spain to claim 'necessary' health item Rounding off his letter, the holidaymaker left the bulletin with a bold comment, stating "us tourists do bite back, and me personally and many hundreds of thousands of tourists have bitten back." The full section read: 'So go ahead Mallorca, bite the hand that has come to this island, put so much money into your tourism, infrastructure, government, hoteliers pockets etc etc for the best part of 40 years. "Us tourists do bite back, and me personally and many hundreds of thousands of tourists have bitten back. "As a seasoned traveller to Mallorca it is getting far to expensive and non tourist friendly and every thing is so not worth visiting or holidaying in this island until your Balearic Government and the people of Mallorca realise this.' During the last protest on the island, it was reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin that some holidaymakers and expats confronted residents wearing shirts with the word "guiris" on, with some non-Spanish residents calling the word racist. The word is used to described English-speaking foreigners, but according to The Mirror, that has slowly expanded to include northern European tourists as a whole.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tourist slams Spanish island in brutal 'rip-off' letter as Brits priced out
Riled by 'drastic' price increases on hotels and restaurants, a passionate British tourist has slammed Spain for making one of its most popular islands completely 'unaffordable' The extent of Spain's escalating anti-tourist rhetoric has been laid bare - and it seems Brits are paying the full price quite literally. Last year, the country witnessed a record-breaking 94 million international visitors flock to its mainland, and slew of insatiably popular islands. It was an unprecedented tourist boom that quickly descended into chaos, motivating droves of fed-up locals to take to the street and demand holidaymakers 'go home'. The string of confrontational protests has kept their momentum, with activists vowing to 'intensify' their efforts ahead of the looming summer season. Demonstrations have even taken a violent spin in recent months- with one shocking sign threatening to 'Kill a Tourist' popping up in Tenerife. Reports also suggest anonymous locals set fire to rental cars - often used by tourists to explore the island - to make their message clear. Despite the furore, it seems some Brits are willing to persevere - unable to image a world without their beloved Costa del sun. Edward Fox, who has been holidaying in Mallorca for more than three decades, visits the island for up to nine weeks every single year. In a brutal letter sent to Majorca Daily Bulletin - a Spanish news site for English readers - Edward passionately argued the island has undergone a 'drastic' up-charge on accommodation as well as food and drink prices. He insists these rising prices are 'not reflective' of global inflation figures, and is worsened by growing 'tourist tax' levies that can sting travellers with up to €4 fees per night. The Spain-enthusiast went on to claim Mallorca is now 'unaffordable' for most British tourists - who are now opting to visit cheaper destinations such as 'Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines'. "So go ahead Mallorca, bite the hand that has came to this island put so much money into your tourism, infrastructure, government , hoteliers pockets etc etc for the best part of 40 years," Edward wrote. "Us tourists 'Do Bite Back', and me personally and many hundreds of thousands of tourists have bitten back. As a seasoned traveller to Mallorca it is getting far too expensive and non tourist friendly and everything is so not worth visiting or holidaying on this island until your Balearic Government and the people of Mallorca realise this." Edward also raised issue with locals referring to tourists as 'guiris'. This is a word that describes English-speaking foreigners, but has slowly expanded to include northern European tourists as a whole. Article continues below Despite Edward's concerns, it seems most Brits aren't fazed by rising costs or growing hostility. New data published by Spain's National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estadistica) found a staggering 810,045 international visitors flocked to the Balearics during the first three-months of 2025 - a 3.6 per cent increase compared to the year before. However, with threats of more planned protests in the summer - Brits may start listening to the demands of frustrated locals, who argue that over-tourism is worsening the country's housing crisis. In fact, hotel bookings in Tenerife - one of Spain's most popular hotspots - have already warned of a hotel booking 'slump' ahead of the peak season.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Majorca to crackdown on number of tourists as plans to ban cars shared
The new plans are currently being assessed and if agreed will be implemented the from 2026. Majorca is set to limit the amount of cars allowed on the Spanish island as part of their crackdown on tourism. In a similar move to Ibiza, Majorca Council said they are looking at ways to reduce the number of cars which are not registered in the Balearics. Measures are currently being assessed and they hope to implement the plans from 2026, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The move will replicate Ibiza, where new rules state that anyone with homes in Ibiza and have a vehicle registered outside the Balearics are only allowed to have only one vehicle per home. The local council hopes the intended plans will reduce the amount of foreign-registered cars on the island. If the Mallorcan resident plans to have a visitor staying and parking at their home, they must request authorisation and pay a fee online. In 2023, Mallorca's ports saw 324,623 vehicles with drivers arrive, marking a 108 % increase from 2017. One islander wrote: "The Balearic population has grown 40% in the past 20 years. During that time there has been little significant road enlargement in the greater Palma area. Whilst there have been certain smaller regional road building and improvement projects in Mallorca as a whole, road construction hasn't matched population growth whatsoever. "So the current traffic conditions should be no surprise. Outsiders' cars and rental cars are only a small part of the issue. But it's easy for the government to blame them, as there is little cost in parrying the blame somewhere else. "Whereas, constructing new and improved roads is a very expensive task, which successive governments have failed to provide." Another said: "Everyone's talking about the need to limit foreign vehicles in Mallorca as if tourists and second-home owners are the root of the island's traffic crisis. But let's be honest: many of Mallorca's transport problems are homegrown—and no one wants to admit it. Let's start with the absurd state of taxi licensing. Palma and Calvià—two areas practically joined at the hip—have completely separate taxi systems. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "A taxi from Palma that drops off in Calvià must return empty, forbidden from picking up a waiting passenger at the same location. Multiply that by hundreds of daily journeys and what do you get? A self-inflicted surge in unnecessary traffic, emissions, and cost. Then there's the farce of ride-hailing. Uber and similar services exist in name only. "Thanks to suffocating regulation—30-minute minimum wait times, excessive base charges, and bureaucratic hurdles—they're neutered. The result? No competition, no innovation, and no incentive for the island's taxis to improve. "Taxis show up late, cancel without warning, and operate like they're doing you a favour. "Meanwhile, residents like myself would happily ditch our cars if we could rely on a liberalised, responsive, and modern transport service. So before the government points fingers at outsiders for clogging up the roads, it might want to look in the mirror. "The current system rewards inefficiency and protects the status quo at the expense of residents, tourists, the environment—and common sense. "If Mallorca truly wants to reduce traffic, it doesn't need more bans and bureaucracy. It needs freedom of movement—for people, for ideas, and yes, for taxis too."
