Tourists are increasingly finding themselves targeted by activists, who are determined to create bad publicity for the island to deter visitors from coming.
The growing hostility towards tourists appears to be having an effect, with arrival numbers plummeting in some regions of the island. The worst after resort areas are Capdepera and Soller, according to the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM).
The alarming situation is seemingly challenging in the British market, which is showing signs of sluggish growth, reports the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
“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,” said María José Aguiló – the vice-president of FEHM.
Bars, cafes and restaurants have all been affected by the unusual mid-season lull, with terraces half-empty. Some owners have reportedly even allowed staff to go on holiday, during what is normally one of the busiest periods of the season.
“We’re seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging,” explained Aguiló.
FEHM’s data indicates that hotel occupancy rates have not met expectations since May, causing many to fear for the future. However the organisation is remaining upbeat, saying it expects this season to mirror that of last year.
Last year, 18.7 million tourists visited the Balearics, and spent an eye-watering €22.38 billion – an increase of 12%.
German tourists remain the most important economic group on the Balearic Islands. They spent €6 billion during their stay in Majorca – more than any other nationality. The British followed in second place with €4.38 billion.