Last year, a record number of tourists arrived in Majorca during the summer. Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain’s third largest by passenger numbers behind Madrid and Barcelona, welcomed 31.3 million passengers in 2023, according to CAPA.
Early estimates for this year also look set to smash records again.
However, upon closer inspection there is a different story hidden beneath the record-breaking stats. In 2024, takings at bars and restaurants have been revealed to be down by at least 20 percent, which will have a serious impact on the hospitality sector which currently employs 50,000 people.
While tourists have continued to visit the island on holiday, as a result of higher hotel prices their budgets have been far more limited than in previous years. As many do not want to spend more money, they choose to stay in all-inclusive resorts and do not venture to businesses outside the complex.
“It was a question of full hotels and half-empty bars and restaurants,” the Majorca Daily Bulletin wrote.
Even scratching beneath the surface of the record-breaking airport figures reveals that the number of British tourists travelling to the Balearic Islands in July was down by 10 percent, with the number of citizens from the mainland also falling by 13 percent.
There was, however, a big increase in German tourism to counterbalance the drop in Spaniards and Brits.
Such a big drop in takings in a key industry comes as a major blow that will affect the local economy and its residents.
Despite all the over-tourism complaints in Majorca, they are currently dealing with the worst case scenario: more tourists but spending less. What the majority of people want is less tourists spending more.
This was the motto of some of the protesters this summer, who were not against tourism in its entirety. “Tourism, yes. But not like this” is a slogan that summarises the sentiment of many people who are concerned about the negative effects of tourism on local communities and the environment, but still value its contributions.
Majorca is no longer a cheap holiday destination, with a glass of wine in some bars in the capital’s city centre now costing seven euros (£5.80) and an average meal for two in an average restaurant costing in excess of 70 euros (£58.30).
This is a problem that is also being witnessed in Turkey, with tourists warning that the country will be “empty” within years due to everything being so expensive. Videos are emerging on TikTok of tourists claiming Turkey has become super quiet.
One said he came across a speed boat trip that worked out as being £120 for an hour’s journey. He added: “I went on a boat trip the other day, £20 it was, and that was alright – that was reasonable.
“I went to Burger King and it was £5 – that’s cheap. I’m sat in this place now – for a burger it’s £12. For a water it’s £2 – it’s becoming like London prices.
“My sister, and her little family, said they’re not going to come back again, because they’re just. I’ve seen some posts on here where people are saying, give it a few more years, and Turkey’s going to be dead.”
Another, referring to the Marmaris municipality, said: “The place is dead. We went to the beach yesterday, and we didn’t leave the beach until gone 8pm, and we walked through Icmeler – all the restaurants were empty.
“It just has a weird vibe about it. We visited Marmaris the other day, and it’s like 50% of people are not here. It’s such a weird feeling. I feel like we’re here during term-time.”