There are fears a summer of unrest in popular tourist hotspots may be finally having an impact on business, with operators along Majorca’s beaches taking a hit
Majorca’s beach businesses are being warned of a tough summer ahead as the anti-tourism protests hit home.
According to the Association of Temporary Services Concessions and Operations in the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain of Mallorca (Adopuma), beach bars, sunbed hire companies, and water sports operators have taken a hit of around 20 per cent in July compared to last summer.
The group blamed poor spring weather, spiralling costs, and falling demand for beach services. But they say that increasingly aggressive rhetoric from anti-tourism campaigners is pushing the island’s economy to the brink. Adopuma president Onofre Fornés said ‘irresponsible negative messages against tourism’ for the downturn. It comes after a ‘traumatised’ family are stranded at Palma Airport after being told they can’t board a Jet2 flight.
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He said: “Reduced income, higher operating costs and subdued demand for key services, such as sun loungers and deckchairs, have affected turnover, for example in areas such as Playa de Muro and Can Picafort.” Adopuma is now urging the government to act fast, capping prices, stamping out anti-tourism sentiment, and ensuring that Mallorca remains affordable for the mid-budget visitors who keep the island ticking.
The decline in tourist numbers is causing concern for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that rely on tourism. Back in June, around 10,000 demonstrators marched through Palma’s streets demanding an end to the “touristification” of their region.
But the protesters were not confined to the sun-kissed island as unrest as swept across southern Europe with protests in Portugal and Italy.
Protestors have been urging local officials to tackle tourism’s effects more effectively whilst simultaneously telling prospective holidaymakers to find alternative destinations.
But one hotel proprietor in Majorca recently confessed to the local pressL “We’ve scared the tourists away. I wouldn’t want to spend my holidays in a place where I don’t feel welcome.”
And a waiter at a local eatery dependent on tourist trade remarked on the challenge of drawing visitors in the same numbers as before.
He said: “Except on weekends or rainy days, there’s not much going on here; we’re just waiting around, and it’s been like this since May.”
The Restaurants Association in Mallorca (CAEB) has even cautioned that some establishments may be forced to close due to the downturn.
This sentiment is supported by statistics, with officials from Majorca noting a downturn in tourist figures across the Balearic Islands following a number of significant anti-tourism rallies.
Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, revealed his excursion bookings have plummeted by 20% this summer, with Valldemossa, Palma, and Port Soller bearing the brunt of the downturn.
Although while the situation is concerning, some organizations, like the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), remain optimistic that the season will match or actually surpass last year’s performance
The Mallorca Hotel Federation say they are anticipating high demand across all the island’s destinations and are approaching August in hopes that occupancy rates will be similar to last summer’s,
They said they are confident that last-minute bookings will fill available spaces.