Mallorca saw a fall of 0.8% in tourist numbers in July compared to last year.
Mallorca business owners are hoping September will bring relief after a summer decline in tourist spending. Since May, the popular Spanish island has seen a slump in visitor numbers, with businesses blaming overtourism protests by locals. The Confederation of Business Associations (CAEB) hopes September can “save the season.”
The Association of Temporary Services Concessions and Operations in the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain (Adopuma) reported diminished use of beach services in July, along with lower occupancy at beach establishments. This trend continued in August. Adopuma’s president, Onofre Fornés, explained that tourists using beach amenities such as sun loungers and parasols have been impacted by rising flight and hotel prices, while anti-tourism protests have made matters worse.
Fornés urged the government to take steps to control prices and change the rhetoric against what he called “tourismophobic” sentiments.
Drop in Tourism
Mallorca received more than 15 million tourists last year, 15 times its population of fewer than one million. Residents have long expressed concern as neighborhoods are overwhelmed by holiday homes and rising rental prices push them out.
Locals in Spain have protested overtourism for years. Last year, demonstrators in Barcelona made headlines when they sprayed tourists with water guns. Protests continue in Barcelona, Mallorca, and Ibiza, with chants of “Tourists go home” on the streets and slogans on walls. These protests are now partly blamed for the recent decrease in Mallorca’s tourist numbers.
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Mallorca saw a 0.8% drop in tourist numbers in July compared to last year, predominantly from its two biggest markets: Germany and the United Kingdom. Despite this, the Balearic Islands overall still welcomed more tourists that month.
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Meanwhile, the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is pushing back against tourismophobia with a positive campaign to invite tourists. FEHM President Javier Vich emphasized that tourism is crucial for local employment. In response to protests, hotels have launched posters that say, “Tourist, go home happy. Be happier returning to Mallorca soon,” aiming to make visitors feel welcome.
Anti-tourism protests do not fully explain the downturn. The decrease in German tourists, for instance, coincides with challenging economic conditions in Germany and increased flight and hotel costs in Mallorca.
“German tourists are having to pay more attention to their budgets and can no longer spend so much money on holiday,” said Wolfgang Engstler, the German consul in Mallorca.
There has also been a decrease in restaurant spending across the island. Juanmi Ferrer of the Restaurants Association in Mallorca (CAEB) predicted that some establishments may be forced to shut down this year following declines of up to 40%. An iconic restaurant, Pizzería Giovanini, is planning to close—not due to fewer patrons, but because of rising rental prices. The nightlife industry is also seeing a downturn, with nightclubs reporting a 15% drop in customers, according to Miguel Pérez-Marsá, president of the Balearic Leisure and Entertainment Association.
