Popular holiday spot's tourism fears as Brits shun island amid local protests
The Balearic island is a popular choice among European tourists. Last year alone, an impressive 13.4 million visitors descended on Majorca, including over two million Brits.
The island's breathtaking landscapes - from golden beaches to majestic mountains - and lively nightlife are major draws. However, a series of protests have recently shaken this idyllic destination, with tens of thousands of locals taking to the streets to voice their discontent over overtourism.
Tourists are increasingly finding themselves targeted by activists intent on generating negative publicity for the island to deter visitors. This rising hostility towards tourists seems to be having an impact, with visitor numbers falling in certain areas of the island.
The resort areas most affected are Capdepera and Soller, according to the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), as reported by the Express.
The worrying situation appears to be particularly problematic in the British market, which is showing signs of slow growth, according to 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.
Pubs, cafés and eateries have all felt the impact of this peculiar mid-season slump, with outdoor seating areas sitting half-vacant. Some proprietors have reportedly even permitted employees to take time off during what would typically be amongst the peak trading weeks of the year.
"We're seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging," explained Aguiló.
FEHM's figures show that hotel occupancy levels have fallen short of projections since May, sparking concerns about what lies ahead. Nevertheless, the organisation maintains an optimistic outlook, stating it anticipates this season will match last year's performance.
During the previous year, 18.7 million holidaymakers flocked to the Balearics, splashing out a staggering €22.38 billion - representing a 12% rise. German visitors continue to be the most valuable economic demographic across the Balearic Islands. They parted with €6 billion whilst holidaying in Majorca - outspending every other nation. British travellers came second, contributing €4.38 billion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits 'scared away' from Majorca as holiday hotspot left 'completely dead'
Some locals in Majorca are claiming that certain resorts are 'empty', with one hospitality boss sounding the alarm over the impact that overtourism protests are having Spanish officials have warned that overtourism protests are scaring off holidaymakers. Some locals in Majorca have claimed that certain resorts are "completely dead", following several years of intense campaigning about the impacts of tourism on the Balearic islands and those similar to it. Restaurant association president, Juanmi Ferrer, has now warned that the protests are "scaring visitors away", while Miguel Pérez‑Marsá, head of the nightlife association, sounded a similar alarm. He told the Majorca Daily Bulletin:"The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations." Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, told Mail Online that his industry had been impacted by the negative messaging. "The anti‑tourism messages are resonating," he said, noting that sales were down 20 % as key markets including Brits and Germans were staying away. Biel Rosales, who runs excursion provider Proguies Turístics, said activity had been cut in half this summer, blaming the protests as well as rising prices. "Tourismphobia and the idea that tourists are not welcome are hurting us greatly," he said. The cooling effect has also been felt in the taxi ranks. Biel Moragues, who works in one of the island's taxi associations, told Mail Online: "British tourists are the most upset by the protests and have changed their holiday destination." Lesley Johnson, from Leicester, has been living in Majorca for 30 years and has seen a big change this year. Where previously the main strip would be packed and difficult to walk down on Friday and Saturday evenings, now it is "dead". She echoed the complaints of other Brits who have made the holiday island their home, that the number of their compatriots living in Majorca is dwindling as each year passes. While it is hard to judge how many people have visited Majorca so far this summer and whether overall numbers are down, early-season figures suggest Brits might be staying away. In March, visitors from Majorca's third-largest market, the UK, were down 23.2 % to 48,741. For the Balearics as a whole, the UK fell 25.3 % to 52,170. Other markets showed notable decreases as well, with France down 39.4 % in Majorca and Italy 40.1 %. It may be that Brits are avoiding the Balearic islands such as Majorca and opting for the Canaries instead. Recent Canary Islands Statistics Institute data show an influx of British tourists to Lanzarote so far this summer. Numbers have swelled by just shy of 40,000, despite widespread demonstrations rocking the archipelago. According to Gazette Life, UK visitor numbers to Lanzarote surged from 691,902 to 738,387 during the five‑month period year‑on‑year. Intriguingly, German visitor numbers have dwindled by nearly 30,000 in Lanzarote, as recorded between January and May 2025. Official figures on the number of visitors to Majorca over the month of June will be released this week. They will offer a good indication of whether tourism to the island has slumped, as it did in May, when visitor numbers were down by just over 1 %. Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca, has argued against the suggestion that the protests were scaring tourists away, claiming that there would be a 5 % growth in visitor numbers this year compared to last, once the season is complete.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
A new 'passage to the peaks' train will connect 6 stunning destinations
Vast forests of fir trees, snow-frosted mountains, sparkling blue lakes. These are just some of the stunning snapshots you might spot from a brand-new train that's set to connect six bucket list destinations in North America. Journeying through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the Passage to the Peaks route is launching in summer 2026 – and there's a choice between two and 10-day-long experiences, depending on how much time you've got on your hands. The starting point can either be Banff, Alberta – famous for Mounts Rundle and Cascade, which can be spotted looming over the horizon – or Jasper, another mountain town centred around the Jasper National Park. Expect hot springs and lodges galore. Next on the route, from railway tour company Rocky Mountaineer, is Lake Louise, a glacier-fed body of water which, in the summer, is a popular canoeing spot. Amid temperatures as low as -14.9°C, it freezes over in the winter, and skiers flock to the Lake Louise resort, boasting 4,200 acres of slopes spread across an impressive four mountains. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Right at the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers, the next stop, Kamloops, crosses the border into British Columbia. During the summer, it's popular with hikers and bikers alike – and if you're into archaeology, the reconstructed Secwepemc village is 2,000 years old, spanning roughly one kilometre. Along the way, you'll also be able to spot the likes of Rogers Pass, Shuswap Lake, Castle Mountain, the Spiral Tunnels, and Pyramid Falls – all through the train's glass-topped ceiling, allowing for panoramic views even when you're chugging along. Worried the train won't fully capture the route's beauty? Fear not: you'll be able to get off to explore along the way. Each package features many of the same spots, but the longer it is, the more time you'll have. The two-day rail options tick off Lake Louise, Jasper and Kamloops, while the 10-day 'Grand Adventure' spans Kamloops, Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and the Columbia Icefield (AKA, the largest in the Rockies at 125 square miles). The latter includes nine nights in total (you'll stay overnight at each stop rather than sleeping in a carriage en route), with two days on board the train itself. Wondering how much it'll set you back? You'll need to get your piggy bank ready, as prices range from £1,670 for the two-day option right up to £7,201 for the full shebang. You'll need to snap up your tickets quickly, though, as the routes will only be running in summer 2026 as a special edition. Looking for a train adventure slightly closer to home? Plans for a direct train between Berlin and London have been announced – and it could significantly chop journey times. More Trending This month, Keir Starmer signed a 'first of its kind' treaty with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which, as well as strengthening the relationship between the UK and Germany, also plans to establish a direct route between the capital and three German cities. At the moment, those looking to travel between the two cities need to take a Eurostar train from St Pancras to Bruxelles-Midi, changing for a service to Cologne and, finally, to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. While we don't have any specifics right now, the plans have the potential to change how millions of people travel between the UK and Germany, with an estimated 3,200,000 Brits having visited in 2023. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I spent a weekend in Ireland's best-kept secret — the rain didn't matter at all MORE: I stayed in one of the world's biggest Four Seasons resorts — it was the ultimate reset MORE: I spent five days in the less-crowded Canaries alternative that's closer to the UK
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday viewers criticise wealthy family's 'boring' rules on lavish trip
Channel 5 viewers were not impressed with the Dissont family on this week's episode of Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday as they branded them 'boring' and 'pretentious' Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday returned to Channel 5 on Sunday with a new series featuring strangers from opposite ends of the wealth spectrum embarking on two vastly different holidays. However, just minutes into the show, one family sparked outrage among viewers as they outlined their expectations for a luxury trip. The families get to live out each other's idea of an ideal holiday, but what is paradise for one family can be hell for another. This episode saw two very different families sharing their unique experiences, with well-off medics and aesthetics practitioners Sam and Andre Dissont and their 14-year-old daughter Cassia first taking the cash-strapped Leaf family to a posh health resort. Gary, Beth, 13-year-old Grace, and eight-year-old Noah were treated to a five-star stay in a Malta hotel - but the activities that the Dissonts had planned were far removed from what the fun-loving Leafs were accustomed to. Upon arriving at the first destination and meeting up, the Dissonts, who regularly splurge £40,000 on a holiday without batting an eyelid, revealed their preference for a healthy lifestyle. They each indulge in a £1,000 session in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber before jetting off. Once on holiday, they adhere to a strict diet, which includes abstaining from alcohol and consuming plenty of fresh food, and also incorporate exercise into their trips, reports the Express. After revealing their dream holiday, the Dissonts invited the Leafs - known for their extravagant holidays - to join them in their health-focused activities. The families embarked on a schedule packed with private tours of historical sites, sushi restaurants, gym sessions and a snorkelling trip to the blue lagoon. While the Leafs seemed somewhat impressed, they concluded that it wasn't worth the money. Meanwhile, viewers at home labelled the wealthy family as "boring". One disgruntled viewer posted on Twitter: "What a boring family. Oxygen chambers, wanting to go on healthy holidays and come back healthier. What a load of rubbish, sterile to the core #richholidaypoorholiday." Another chimed in: "What pretentious snobs. Wasting a medical education to overcharge people for ridiculous s**t! I hope the poor people don't have to follow their strict rules. Yuck #RichHolidayPoorHoliday. "Wow what a boring family #richholidaypoorholiday," another commented, while one more added: "The rich family have to be the most annoying family they've had on this. Particularly the dad. Giving off accidental partridge vibes. #richholidaypoorholiday." But the Dissonts proved how kind-hearted they are at the end of the show when they gifted the Leafs another holiday to Greece.
