Holidaymakers planning a trip to one of Spain’s largest and most popular islands may face rising prices due to overtourism. Hotel bosses, including the managing director of Riu Hotels and Resorts, one of Majorca’s “big four” hotel groups, have stated that the group is in a “privileged position” due to its fully booked hotels.
Last year, Majorca welcomed over 19 million visitors, who flocked to the island for its vibrant atmosphere and stunning sandy beaches. With the crackdown on illegal short-term rentals, it appears that hotels have regained their footing. Joan Trian Riu, managing director of Rui Hotels and Resorts, said: “We’re at full capacity, and the only thing you can do is raise prices. I repeat, this varies from region to region, but in general, we’re in a privileged position.”
Majorca’s peak season is typically around July and August, with the beginning of the season mostly attracting younger tourists, as prices are generally lower. However, Mr Riu noted that they are seeing a more family-oriented clientele, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The lower season sees a greater variety of visitors, including travellers from the UK, France, Poland, and across Eastern Europe and Asia.
Germany remains the island’s largest tourist market, despite a decline in the number of German tourists last year.
Carmen Riu, former CEO of the hotel group, explained how issues across the wider hospitality industry are impacting the island’s peak tourist season.
She said: “We are also seeing traditional shops in Palma or in towns disappearing and being replaced by international franchises or by places where they serve you avocado toast, which is more of the same.
“Society largely agrees on these problems, but bold decisions need to be made. Do we have the carrying capacity? How do we define it, and what measures do we take to ensure it’s met? What’s clear is that if we do nothing, this won’t be sustainable.”
The former boss also believes that an increase in the tourist tax is not something that will regulate overtourism, that instead, if it is used, “it has to be targeted, directly related to reducing the negative effects of tourism and improving the infrastructure affected by tourism activity”.