British holidaymakers have turned their backs on Majorca as restaurants are left empty amid anti-tourist protests.
The Spanish island, which welcomed 13.4 million visitors last year including more than two million Britons, has witnessed thousands of residents protesting in the streets about the effects of excessive tourist numbers.
The holiday destination, renowned for its beaches, mountains and entertainment venues, has seen activists targeting the tourism sector with negative campaigns aimed at deterring potential visitors.
This hostile atmosphere appears to be achieving its intended effect, with notable decreases in visitor numbers across various parts of the island.
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|Anti-tourist protests have engulfed Majorca
Hotels in the eastern resort of Capdepera and the northwestern town of Soller are experiencing the steepest declines in visitor numbers, according to the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM).
María José Aguiló, the federation's vice-president, stated: "While we don't have official statistics yet, information from our various associations indicates that Capdepera, which heavily relies on German tourism, and Soller are experiencing the most significant drops in visitor numbers."
The hospitality sector has been particularly affected, with bars, cafés and restaurants reporting half-empty outdoor terraces.
Several business owners have taken the unusual step of granting staff leave during what should be the busiest period of the summer season.
The federation has observed two contrasting reservation trends emerging, with travellers either booking well in advance or making spontaneous last-minute arrangements.
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|Residents have taken to the streets to protest against the number of tourists visiting the island
Aguiló explained: "We're seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging."
Hotel occupancy figures have consistently missed targets since May, prompting anxiety within the industry about the remainder of the season.
The British market has shown particularly sluggish growth, adding to concerns about overall performance.
Despite these challenges, FEHM remains cautiously hopeful, expressing confidence that this year's results will equal those of 2024.
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|The hospitality sector has been particularly affected, with bars, cafés and restaurants reporting half-empty outdoor terraces
The Balearic Islands attracted 18.7 million visitors in the previous year, generating €22.38billion in revenue, marking a 12 per cent increase.
German holidaymakers remained the highest spenders across the archipelago, contributing €6billion during their stays in Majorca alone, surpassing all other nationalities.
British tourists ranked second in economic contribution, spending €4.38billion throughout their visits.
These figures underscore the significant financial stakes involved as the island grapples with declining visitor numbers.