Majorca anti-tourist protesters ‘must be cautious what they need for’

Majorca’s anti-tourist protesters ‘should be careful what they wish for’ because discouraging holidaymakers would be ‘a disaster for the area’, industry experts say as a study finds 44% of tourists are thinking twice about visiting the island.  

A poll by Majorca Daily Bulletin found that around 44 per cent of people will now think twice about booking a holiday on the popular island after huge demonstrations over mass tourism.  

Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency warned: ‘If this survey is accurate, local protestors should be careful what they wish for. 

‘The Majorcan (and other local islands) economy relies heavily on tourism to create jobs and bring money into the region. 

‘It would be a disaster for the area if the protests, however valid, cut off the flow of visitors and reduce income. 

‘The solution is to work with local authorities on spreading the number of visitors into the shoulder seasons, so there is a flow of tourists throughout the year rather than be concentrated over the summer.’

Pictured: a less than busy Magaluf after the anti-tourist protests. A poll by Majorca Daily Bulletin found that around 44 per cent of people will now think twice about booking a holiday on the popular island after huge demonstrations over mass tourism

Businesses reported anxiety about whether enough tourists will visit the island this summer. Anti-tourist protests in Majorca have left parts of the country as virtually empty

Charles’ comments come after businesses reported anxiety about whether enough tourists will visit the island this summer. 

Around 15,000 locals took to the streets of Palma last week, with a British holidaymaker telling MailOnline she felt ‘intimidated’ as protesters told tourists to ‘go home’.

Rob Burley, a travel tour operator expert and the founder of GP Traveller said: ‘The recent protests about housing and overtourism are definitely making some visitors hesitate about coming to Majorca this summer. According to the survey, nearly half of holidaymakers are rethinking their trip because of the demonstrations. As someone in the tourism industry, that’s a real concern.

‘Majorca relies heavily on visitors, so if fewer people come it will really hurt hotels, restaurants and shops. I can see why locals are frustrated with issues like high rents and crowded beaches. At the same time, tourism employs nearly half the people on the island. There needs to be a better balance that supports residents and visitors.

‘In the busy places like Magaluf, some businesses are noticing fewer customers already. It will be tricky to solve the problems in a way that reassures people it’s still safe to visit. The government and protesters will need to work hard on solutions.

‘Personally, I think anxious tourists should be reminded that the demonstrations are peaceful and not anti-tourism exactly. Majorca is also a very large island, so other areas like Palma may not be as crowded. It’s a complex issue with arguments on both sides. I hope they can find an agreement soon to get tourism back on track.’

There are concerns within the tourist industry that the protests are having an impact on their footfall. 

Protesters hold a banner reading ‘Mallorca is not for sale’ during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism and housing prices

Matthew Hall, Managing Director at airport transfer experts hoppa, said: ‘Our own data shows that Majorca searches are down by 15% year on year, and major bookings are also down by 10% year on year in recent weeks.

‘Our customers have moved to other destinations such as Turkey and Greece where searches up by 45% and 35% respectively.

‘It’s difficult to feel confident about going somewhere if the local residents don’t want you there, particularly anyone travelling with a family if the protests continue.

‘Long term we think the impact will reduce, and Majorca will remain as a UK holiday favourite, but right now we are seeing customers moving away and booking elsewhere.’

The words ‘Go Home Tourist’ were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Mallorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years

Protesters shout at shocked holidaymakers enjoying dinner and drinks in Palma

Meanwhile, Michele Massa, travel expert and CEO at Ibiza Summer Villas told MailOnline: ‘Overtourism is definitely a hot topic in Spain right now. In Ibiza too, some locals around us are being priced out of the area to make way for hotels and tourist hotspots and protests have started happening.’

Even so, Michele believes that tourists should not have anything to fear so long as they are coming to Spain with respectful intentions: ‘At the end of the day, overtourism is primarily an issue because of the lack of funding to local communities from our own government. Tourists coming here to visit aren’t the real issue – they’re bringing in a lot of money.

‘Whether or not you should fear the protests really depends on your reason for coming to Spain. Holidaygoers and families who are here for relaxation, immersing themselves in local culture and having fun should have nothing to worry about.

‘If you’re planning on bothering locals with antisocial behaviour, taunting protestors, and making no effort to support local businesses by only buying from large chains, then you might think twice about coming to Spain.’