Spanish island hit by mass anti-tourist protests says restaurant takings have plunged

Restaurant owners on an island where locals have been staging 'tourists go home' protests have reported a significant drop in earnings. The Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that despite the presence of numerous holidaymakers, they are spending less.

Just last week, hundreds of protesters took over one of the island's most popular beaches, telling tourists to "go home". Locals have been calling for a limit on visitors, arguing that they can't afford housing and that the island is becoming overcrowded.

In recent weeks, protests against mass-tourism have been held on the island, with similar demonstrations taking place across Spanish holiday hotspots including the Canary Islands and Ibiza. Residents have voiced concerns about the environmental impact rising property prices and overcrowding.

Alfonso Robledo, President of Majorca's CAEB restaurant association, noted that the downturn began last summer but has become more pronounced this month. Mr Robledo stated: "Before there was no difference between Mondays and Saturdays. We were always full because people who are on holiday don't take into account whether it is a working day or a public holiday."

"This year, however, customers are leaving their dinners or lunches for the weekends. We don't understand what is happening because there are more and more tourists."

He added that those holidaymakers who do visit bars and restaurants are spending less. He said: "Now they are much more restrained and more careful about what they consume."

He remarked: "Until now, June had always been a good month, giving a taste of what the tourist season could bring. However, this year we are having, in particular, study trips, which has always been the case, and stag and hen parties. These people do not spend and we are missing the tourists with a medium-high purchasing power who used to visit the island before the massive arrival of travellers in July and August."

Aviba's president, Pedro Fiol, highlighted that Majorca is witnessing a decline in tourist numbers. "If it weren't for tourism, which continues to push these figures upwards, Majorca would have averages similar to those of an urban destination," he cautioned.

He further pointed out that "Palma city is dragging these figures down". Marvin voiced his opinion on the matter online in response to the story, expressing frustration by saying: "Whenever there's a slowdown or dip the Majorcans almost always put the prices up. It's insane economics and is going to bite them harder and harder as more punters refuse to pay stupid prices for mainly mediocre fare."

One individual remarked: "Most Majorcan restaurants are extremely expensive for what is offered." A frequent visitor noted: "A restaurant/bar I visit sometimes across the road from a beach just outside Palma has doubled its prices within the space of one year. And so rocking up on Friday for lunch not having made a reservation and fearing being turned away I had the pick of tables. Most tourists and locals just won't pay 25 Euros for a simple fish dish with vegetables at a place that used to charge 13 Euros for the same plate."