Mallorca in turmoil: German tourists avoid the island – protests are spreading!

Mallorca in turmoil: German tourists avoid the island – protests are spreading!

Mallorca, a traditionally popular holiday destination, is experiencing an alarming tourism situation. The decline in German visitors has noticeable economic consequences for the island. Entrepreneurs are sounding the alarm and fearing massive losses in sales, while the general mood remains tense. Mercury reports that coach bookings fell by 20 percent in July and August, highlighting that the influx of visitors is significantly decreasing.

Rafel Roig, President of the Association of Transport Companies, says that German tourism is missing and that the image of the island is also suffering. Restaurateurs are particularly affected; It is reported that waiters in Sóller have to take vacation during high season as sales decline. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the Mallorca catering association CAEB, warns that hundreds of restaurants could close, with some establishments recording losses of up to 40 percent.

Protests against mass tourism

As economic pressure increases, protests in Mallorca have increased sharply. In June, up to 8,000 people demonstrated against mass tourism, which contributes to a negative image of the island. Aggressive sentiments are expressed not only in protests, but also in vandalism. In Santanyi, a popular place for German second home owners, German-owned businesses and vehicles with foreign license plates were daubed with aggressive slogans such as “Germans out.” These incidents have been confirmed by local police and show increasing hostility towards foreign property owners. Loud WDR One affected businessman estimated that between 20 and 30 stores were damaged.

The mood on the island varies between support for tourism and a cry for more respect and affordability in the housing sector. For example, the Fehm Hoteliers Association supports tourism as an essential source of income for the majority of Mallorcans. Nevertheless, many locals are calling for political measures to combat the housing shortage and improve transport infrastructure.

Growth vs. decline

Although the number of tourists to the Balearic Islands is expected to rise to over 20 million in 2024, Mallorca remains faced with challenges. Last year, 19 million tourists visited the Balearic Islands, including 13.5 million in Mallorca. It is interesting that the number of German visitors to the Balearic Islands rose by nine percent to around five million in 2024, which suggests that some of the visitors are still looking for other destinations. Many people, including those from Germany, prefer alternative holiday destinations such as Croatia to the classic Mallorca.

The initial reactions to the decline in tourism and the problems associated with it are different. While some call for infrastructure modernization and measures to improve the living situation, entrepreneurs and hoteliers defend tourism itself as an indispensable form of economy. Carmen Planas, President of the CAEB business association, calls for a rethink and a respectful treatment of tourism in order to find a balance between the needs of locals and the wishes of visitors.

Overall, the future of Mallorcan tourism remains uncertain. Rising housing prices and the negative image created by protests and incidents of vandalism raise questions about how long the industry can sustain this decline. Pressure has grown on those responsible to find solutions as the island continues to seek its identity and economic stability.