UK tourists in Spain shocked at booze price hikes

Enjoying a pint in the once-cheap resorts in Spain has become a whole lot more expensive, according to some UK tourists.

An increase of prices in bars and cafes across the country including Magaluf in Majorca are now beyond the budget for some holidaymakers, reports the Mirror.

Bobby and Marie McQueen from Glasgow returned to the holiday hotspot for the first time since Covid and they were shocked by the price hikes.

The couple said: "We won’t be back. It’s the last time we’re paying €10 for a gin and tonic and €12 for a large white wine. Plus the measures are a lot less. They used to fill the glass up three quarters with the gin, now it’s less than half."

Magaluf-regular Veronica Horword, 62, left Bristol with her pal Diane to enjoy the sun but she noticed a price increase straight away. Veronica said: "Places like the Piano Bar, which we love, are definitely more expensive than this time last year.

"Even just by a euro for a G&T – but it all adds up. I’ve been coming to Magaluf for 20 years. Only four years ago it would have been just €5 for a G&T. I think after Covid they hiked the prices everywhere you go. But it’s a great bar and you can dance, so you are getting something for that drink."

It has been reported that tourists can now expect to pay up to 10 Euros for popular cocktails - like a Sex on the Beach or a Mojito - and up to €5 for a pint of lager. Mirror reporter Hollie Bone found that the price of a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc ranged from €4.75 to €12.

While loyalty from customers has kept Scottish restaurant and bar Sinky's open in Magaluf for 40 years, owner Cathy Sinclair said that it has been difficult. The 69-year-old said: "Every penny counts and you’re not taking what you did years ago. “People are not drinking as much. Businesses are struggling badly here. The cost of living here has gone up a lot."

Cathy said that cans of gas for the beer taps that she uses in her bar were €36 before Covid - but are now €74. In Spain, employers pay staff’s National Insurance contributions which costs Cathy about €700 a year for a full-time worker.

The owner added: "That’s a big expense and tourists don’t understand that we have that."

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