Visitors to Spain’s iconic holiday island of Majorca have continued to face price hikes in restaurants and hotels in recent years and some have made drastic changes to fix the issue. Residents and tourists alike have begun to complain in particular of prices in Peguera, a beach resort that has been dubbed as “Little Germany” thanks to its popularity with German tourists.
“What bothers me most is that now everything on the island is so ‘luxurious’,” said Melanie Linz, 50, who has lived in Majorca for 20 years and has seen the rises in prices firsthand. “I don’t go out to eat as often as I used to,” she added, admitting that she chooses her restaurants more carefully, while her friend, Claudia Schnur from Cologne, said they both “pay attention to value for money”. While they do occasionally enjoy a more expensive restaurant when the food and views are good, “Otherwise, we usually go where the locals eat. It’s not only cheaper there, but usually better,” they told Mallorca Magazin, reported Ultima Hora.
Sitting nearby was the Meier family from Düsseldorf, who have an apartment nearby in Andratx and regularly travel between the island and their hometown. They admitted that everyone has noticed the price difference in recent years.
“Everyone has noticed the price difference. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the increase has been enormous,” said Susanne Meier, 71. “We don’t go out to eat as often anymore. If we choose a restaurant, it’s always one with excellent cuisine.”
Her son, Simon, admitted that the family now cooks for themselves far more often than they used to, while Franz Meier, 76, said: “I estimate it’s gone up by between 25% and 30% since the pandemic. Now we only do it twice a week”.
Some holidaymakers, however, did understand the price rise, but that has not stopped them from making a drastic decision about next year’s holidays.
Andrea Franz from Hanau said: “I think prices are reasonable. Everything has become more expensive, especially when shopping. Of course, restaurateurs have to adjust their prices.”
“We’ve come here every year. But next year we’re going to Greece. No one can afford this island anymore,” she concludes.
Her son, Sven, agreed, adding: “But everything has gone up by at least 30%. Not just in restaurants. Now we spend twice as much as before on hotels”.
Finally, Petra Savelsbergh, who has lived in Majorca for a decade, has witnessed many changes, particularly in her weekly shop: “I used to buy a kilo of tomatoes for one euro; today it costs three,” she revealed. “Just a few years ago, it was perfectly normal to go out for meals with friends and family – in Spain, it’s something usual”.
Now, however, Petra says: “I usually go where local people go, as prices for tourists are even higher.”