With prices “going through the roof” Majorca risks driving droves of tourists away, including their most loyal visitors. In a damning vow never to return to the now expensive island,a family of four who have devoted 20 years to Majorca say they spent an eye watering £39 (€45) on beds and umbrellas at the beach.
The Irish family found their hotel price had skyrocketed by £518 (€600) from last year, even though they had gone from doing 14 days to 10. The family say just a year ago they could enjoy “a 3 course meal with a bottle of wine and maybe a couple of cocktails on the way home”, with prices “always cheaper than Ireland”.
However this year they opted to just have a “main course with a glass of wine and a beer, desserts were replaced with ice cream on the way home”.
Although costs are going up globally, Majorca has seen prices rise more than mainland Spain, according to the manager of the Regional Transport Federation, Petra Mut.
Earlier this year Mr Mut pointed to Majorca being an island as to why the increases are higher than on the mainland.
The letter to the Majorca Daily Bulletin read: “We have stayed in Alcudia, Pollensa, Cala D’or, Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous, our kids grew up in La Miranda hotel in Cala Egos and we have stayed in Palmanova five times in total. Sol Palmanova and Cas Saboners have been our favourite hotels in Palmanova.
“Unfortunately, this year will be our last unless something changes. Prices have gone through the roof.”
The parents typically celebrate their anniversary at the Blue Bar in Palmanova, overlooking the water the bar serves a variety of refreshing cocktails, however this year the couple opted for a “bottle of wine on the balcony”.
“Our wedding anniversary is on August 2 and we would always treat ourselves at the Blue Bar. This year although we still went to the Blue Bar, celebratory steaks were replaced with paella and a bottle of wine were on our hotel balcony rather than the restaurant”.
The family who prefer the beach over the pool were gobsmacked to fork out €45 on beds and umbrellas, which had previously been just £12 (€15). Calling it “crazy money”, the holidaymakers were forced to spend more time at the pool.
They added: “The other issue we had was the beach. We prefer the beach to the pool. We expect to pay less than €15 for two beds and an umbrella at the beach.
“We had to get four beds and two umbrellas as kids are now young teens but it cost us €45. That’s just crazy money. €45 before you spend a cent on lunch. In the end we split our time between pool and beach but brought a packed lunch to the beach.”
Despite “having some of the happiest times of their life on the island” the Irish family of four will be taking their business elsewhere next year.
The letter concluded: “Regrettably I think Majorca next year for us will be out of reach. As I said we are a family of 4 who have gone from 14 days in Mallorca to 10 days to now searching next year’s holiday destination elsewhere.”