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Daily Record
29-07-2025
- Daily Record
Once popular resort now 'completely dead' as Brits turn their backs amid protests
There are fears UK holidaymakers have been scared away by mounting anti-tourism sentiment There are claims a once-popular UK holiday hotspot is in crisis after widespread anti-tourism demonstrations have left formerly bustling resorts 'completely dead'. The Balearic island of Majorca has reportedly seen a decline in UK visitors who have been 'scared away'. Local business owners are now saying that summers of protests have taken their toll with British holidaymakers and other European visitors avoiding the island too as they now feel unwelcome. And it's having an effect on businesses, owners say. Miguel Perez-Marsa, the head of the nightlife association, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations." His comments come on the back of locals taking to the streets and beaches in the face of rising housing costs and the environmental toll of tourism. President of the College of Tour Guides, Pedro Oliver, said that bookings have seen a major decline, with excursion rates dropping by 20 percent this summer, reports The Express. And he said, far from it only being Brits that are steering clear, German and Italian visitors have also been put off. He said: "The anti-tourism messages are resonating. If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays." Another tour operator has also seen a drop in numbers this year. "Tourismphobia and the idea that tourists are not welcome are hurting us greatly," Biel Rosales, president of tour operator Proguies Turistics, said. The operator said they would typically offer around 30 excursions per cruise, but say this figure has fallen to 12-14. Official data from May shows that there was a 1.6 percent decrease in visitor numbers to Spain. While the decline in visitation is not isolated to Brits, the loss of their custom is reportedly having the largest impact. Biel Moragues, representing one of Majorca's taxi associations, said: "British tourists are the most upset by the protests and have changed their holiday destination." Lesley Johnson, 66, from Leicester, has lived in Majorca for more than 30 years. She told MailOnline: "This area used to have a lot of British bars and pubs, and they would hold quiz leagues and dance leagues. "Back then, if you went along this street at 7pm at night, you couldn't walk up, it would be full of tourists, but now it's completely dead. "A lot of the Germans and Brits - they've just gone home." While many believe that the protests are the sole course for the drop in tourism, some believe that traffic jams, increased prices and less disposable income may be contributing too. Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca (Pinem), disagrees, however. He said his federation's latest report "pointed to a 5 percent growth compared to 12 percent last year".
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Daily Record
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.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spanish resort usually bustling with Brits empty as sunbeds lie abandoned
Brits remain a big part of the tourist market in Magaluf and Majorca more broadly. Every year more than 2.3 million Brits head to Majorca, which accounts for around 26% of the total tourist traffic A Spanish holiday island typically bustling with Brits has been snapped looking empty and ghostly. Miguel Perez-Marsa, president of the island's ABONE nightclub and entertainment association, has told local press business is booming in the German-popular party resort of Playa de Palma near the Majorcan capital. However, he has claimed young Brits are turning their backs on Magaluf - where holidaymakers from other European countries were once a rare sight in the summer season - because they have been 'demonized.' Dozens of beach sunbeds lay empty yesterday as thousands of Spanish teenagers from Valencia partying after end-of-year school exams took over the resort, with some bar owners admitting they were opening up later to cater for the new type of tourists they were receiving. Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@ Mr Perez-Marsa said the gap left by the British was being filled by French and Italian tourists who tend to drink less than UK party animals and don't spend as much going out at night. He went on to claim that British youngsters who have traditionally packed out the noisy nightspots of Magaluf's brash Punta Ballena party strip had been 'steam-rollered', by island authorities. Mr Perez-Marsa also said more British families were visiting Magaluf but complained they were opting for all-inclusive deals that meant they spent less outside their hotels. Magaluf's infamous party strip has been under the spotlight since Majorca's leading politician at the time, Jose Ramon Bauza, slammed Punta Ballena as "500 metres of shame". This came after an 18-year-old girl was tricked into performing sex acts for a supposed free holiday, only to receive a cocktail named 'Holiday'. Fines reaching up to £50,000 were introduced for tourists caught balcony jumping, and alcohol service with meals at all-inclusive hotels in areas like Magaluf was restricted under a regional government decree targeting 'drunken tourism', introduced five years ago. Last year saw even stricter measures, including £1,300 penalties for street drinking and mandatory night-time shutdowns of alcohol-selling shops in parts of Magaluf. Brits remain a big part of the tourist market in Magaluf and Majorca more broadly. Every year more than 2.3 million Brits head to Majorca, which accounts for around 26% of the total tourist traffic. The major share is still the Germans with more than 3.4 million, equating to 40% of the total. There are around 340,000 Scandinavians, 238,000 French, 160,000 Swiss, and 136,000 Irish. Last year the mayor of Calvia, Juan Antonio Amengual, announced that that "all Brits are welcome" in Magalluf. The mayor says that there is some "tourismphobia" on account of the behaviour of some tourists, but most certainly not all. "We want people to enjoy their holidays with respect between tourists and residents."
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Huge holiday hotspot sees big drop in UK tourists after locals 'demonise' them
Benidorm is one of the biggest winners in Spain of the drop in British holidaymakers choosing Magaluf following the party resort "clean-up", local bar and nightclub chiefs say A Spanish holiday resort once beloved by Brits is seeing its popularity falter amid efforts to tidy up its image. According to Miguel Perez-Marsa, head of the ABONE nightclub association on Majorca, young Brits are shunning Magaluf. The area used to be overrun by UK tourists during the summer but now attracts a more diverse European crowd. Miguel argued that Brits feel "demonized." French and Italian visitors, who tend to drink less and spend less on nights out, are filling the void left by British revellers. At the same time, British youths, once the mainstay of Magaluf's raucous Punta Ballena strip, have been "steam-rollered" and are now heading to Benidorm and other "more-welcoming" resorts, Miguel said. While more British families are visiting Magaluf, they're choosing all-inclusive deals, which means they're spending less money outside their hotels, Miguel told Diario de Mallorca. The reputation of Magaluf took a hit following the release of a scandalous sex video in June 2014, involving a British tourist in a bar, which resulted in a year-long closure of the establishment and a concerted effort by local authorities to clean up the resort's image. Magaluf's infamous party strip has been under the spotlight since Majorca's leading politician at the time, Jose Ramon Bauza, slammed Punta Ballena as "500 metres of shame". This came after an 18-year-old girl was tricked into performing sex acts for a supposed free holiday, only to receive a cocktail named 'Holiday'. Fines reaching up to £50,000 were introduced for tourists caught balcony jumping, and alcohol service with meals at all-inclusive hotels in areas like Magaluf was restricted under a regional government decree targeting 'drunken tourism', introduced five years ago. Last year saw even stricter measures, including £1,300 penalties for street drinking and mandatory night-time shutdowns of alcohol-selling shops in parts of Magaluf. In May 2024 the Mirror's Hollie Bone visited Magaluf and was shocked by the levels of debauchery on display, despite these efforts. "In just one night our reporter was offered cocaine five times and witnessed a stag party buying a huge can of nitrous oxide, known as hippy crack, before using it openly in a bar. And previous visitors have urged those going this year to be careful as thuggish bouncers, incidents of spiking and theft still plague the party town," she wrote. "During our week in Magaluf we witnessed several blatant breaches of the new laws. We saw members of the stag party buy two one litre bottles of vodka and gin after making an after-hours deal with a takeaway owner at 3am. The same group also bought the nitrous oxide and inhaled balloons of the gas in front of nonchalant bar workers. "Revellers are still enticed into bars by the offers of a free shot with their first drink. For some young Britons a summer season here is still as attractive and exciting as it was eight years ago. One barman from Tottenham, North London, told us he came here in 2016 and has never looked back." During a visit in May last year, Britain's then-Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, called on visitors in the Majorcan hotspot to "show responsibility" and remember they are "guests" in Spain. British holidaymakers form the majority of Benidorm's international visitors. Recent statistics revealed that over two-thirds of the Costa Blanca resort's tourists in May were from overseas, with an encouraging average hotel occupancy rate of 84.7% for the month. This Sunday an anti-mass tourism demonstrators are gearing up for another rally in the Majorcan capital, Palma. The event is orchestrated by activist group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, with a coalition of 60 organisations confirming their participation. Activists from other cities such as Barcelona and San Sebastian are set to join in a series of synchronised protests. A spokesperson for Menys Turisme, Mes Vida declared last week: "We will demonstrate for the right to a decent life and to demand the brakes are put on the touristification of this island."
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Majorca crisis as British tourists 'abandon' famous seaside isle for rival hotspot
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 Brits are increasingly shunning a well-known seaside town in Majorca in favour of Benidorm, which is deemed "more welcoming". According to Miguel Perez-Marsa, president of Majorca's ABONE nightclub and entertainment association, holidaymakers now feel "demonised" in Magaluf. The town, located on Majorca's western coast and previously a top destination for young British tourists, is now attracting more French and Italian visitors who tend to be less interested in partying. Perez-Marsa told Diario de Majorca that young British tourists had been "driven out" of Magaluf, which was once famous for its vibrant party scene. In recent years, Magaluf has seen an influx of British families taking advantage of all-inclusive deals, but they often spend less time exploring the local area, ultimately affecting local businesses. Meanwhile, young tourists are flocking to Benidorm, which has undergone a "clean-up" and is now seen as a more appealing destination. Magaluf's reputation took a hit in 2014 when it was labelled a "lawless party resort" following the release of shocking footage showing a British tourist engaging in explicit behaviour with multiple men in a bar. The incident prompted a crackdown on the town's party strip, with local authorities introducing fines for drunken tourists and restrictions to curb excessive behaviour. At the time, Jose Ramon Bauza, Majorca's top politician, condemned the Punta Ballena party strip as "500 metres of shame". Benidorm has taken a stern approach to manage rowdy behaviour by imposing fines of up to £1,300 for street drinking, along with night-time closure of shops selling alcohol in specific areas, reports the Express. The resort is notably popular with Brits, confirmed by last week's figures showing British tourists as the leading visitors in Benidorm with an impressive 84.7% average hotel occupancy rate this May. Despite this, Spain continues to witness anti-tourism rallies, with a major protest scheduled for the coming Sunday in Palma, where around 60 collectives are expected to join forces. Echoing the sentiments of those protesting, a spokesperson from the organising group stated last week: "We will demonstrate for the right to a decent life and to demand the brakes are put on the touristification of this island."
