Holidaymakers in Majorca say ‘where have all the tourists gone?’ as Brits abandon island
Holidaymakers arriving in the once popular hotspot are questioning 'where have all the tourists gone?'.
Tourists appear to be turning their backs on Majorca prompting holidaymakers arriving on the island to question why it is so quiet. This massive decrease in popularity could spell the end for hundreds of shops and restaurants who rely on tourists spending money especially during the peak summer season.
Last year, overtourism protests erupted across the Balearic Islands with campaigners chanting and graffitiing ‘tourist go home’. It seems that protestors may have got what they wished for with Majorca recording its worst summer since before the pandemic. With peak summer upon us one shopkeeper told a shocked holidaymaker how his trade was down by a third on last year.
In a letter sent to Majorca Daily Bulletin one tourist who has been holidaying in Majorca for several years says he and his wife were “shocked at the lack of tourists” leading holidaymakers to question ‘where have all the tourists gone’.
The letter read: “In late April this year my wife and I, who are in our 70’s came to Puerto Pollensa for a 10 day holiday. As we have been coming here for a number of years and have become friendly with bar owners, shopkeepers and restaurant owners. We were quite shocked as they were all saying the same thing ‘Where have all the tourists gone?’.”
The tourist added that if trade does not pick up then many livelihoods are at risk.
The letter continued: “One shopkeeper told me how much he took for the weeks we were there last year compared to this year and he was 1/3rd down on last year and was concerned if things did not pick up.
Reading in the Majorca Bulletin, things have not changed and many livelihoods are at risk."
Last month Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, issued a stark warning that "hundreds of restaurants will close this year; the summer hasn't been good".
He added: "The situation is very difficult. We are very worried about businesses' bottom lines. Many won't be able to survive. We haven't had such a bad summer since before the pandemic."
Mr Ferrer states that on average the number of customers has dropped between 5% and 6%.
