Published on
July 25, 2025
Spain’s Majorca is grappling with a significant decline in tourism, driven by a combination of anti-tourism sentiment and rising costs that are tarnishing the island’s reputation. As local businesses, including restaurants and excursion providers, report a drop in footfall, negative messages about overcrowding and high prices are dissuading potential visitors. These factors, coupled with traffic congestion and limited public transport, have made the island less appealing, particularly for tourists on a budget. While some argue that broader economic challenges are contributing to the downturn, the anti-tourism protests are undeniably amplifying the problem, leading to a challenging season for Majorca’s tourism industry.
Majorca’s Struggling Tourism Industry: Anti-Tourism Messages Stir Controversy
The tourism sector in Majorca is facing significant challenges this year, with many local businesses attributing the decline in visitor numbers to the rise of anti-tourism sentiments circulating on the island. Restaurateurs, excursion organizers, and transport operators are vocal in their concerns that such messages are damaging Majorca’s reputation as a premier holiday destination.
Juanmi Ferr, the president of the island’s Restaurant Association, has been particularly outspoken, criticizing the anti-tourism rhetoric as a key factor in the decline of visitor numbers. Ferr stated that these negative messages are “scaring people away,” leading to a reduction in footfall at local businesses. Despite Majorca’s popularity as a holiday hotspot, this year’s tourism season has seen an underwhelming turnout compared to previous years.
Tourism-based excursions, a staple of the island’s hospitality industry, have been hit hard as well. Proguies Turistics, a prominent excursion company, typically offers around thirty excursions per cruise ship. However, this figure has dropped drastically to between 12 and 14 excursions per cruise. Biel Rosale, the organization’s president, explained that the growing perception of overcrowding and strain on local infrastructure is pushing potential visitors to seek less congested destinations. “The island’s image is being tarnished by the negative portrayal,” Rosale remarked, warning that the anti-tourism messages are doing lasting damage to Majorca’s appeal.
In addition to the criticisms surrounding overcrowding, concerns about rising costs and traffic congestion have further compounded the situation. Many local businesses claim that high prices and the increase in traffic jams are turning tourists off. In particular, the island’s limited public transport options are struggling to keep up with demand during peak seasons, exacerbating the sense of discomfort for both locals and visitors alike.
The tourism-related transport sector has also been hit hard by the anti-tourism messages. Rafel Roig, president of the local transport federation, expressed frustration over the situation. He warned that such messages, which are widely shared on social media and in public spaces, create a hostile atmosphere that discourages potential visitors. “If people feel unwelcome, they’ll simply choose somewhere else to go,” Roig said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive image to ensure the continued success of the tourism industry.
Taxi drivers and coach operators, who are directly impacted by the decrease in tourist arrivals, have also reported a notable decline in their business. According to a local taxi association, British tourists have been the most vocal in their dissatisfaction, with many choosing alternative destinations due to concerns about the protests and the general atmosphere of the island.
However, not everyone agrees that the anti-tourism sentiment is the primary cause of the drop in visitor numbers. Some local residents and industry experts argue that the reduced tourism can be attributed to more practical factors, such as tourists’ lower budgets this year. As the global economy remains unpredictable, many holidaymakers are choosing more affordable destinations or limiting their travel plans altogether. While official tourism data for June and July is yet to be released, preliminary figures from May show a 1.6% decline in tourism, a sign that the island’s tourism woes are not solely due to negative messaging but also broader economic challenges.
Despite these challenges, Majorca remains one of Spain’s top tourist destinations, and many industry stakeholders are hopeful that the island can recover. Tourism experts suggest that better management of overcrowding, improvements in local transport systems, and addressing pricing issues could help restore the island’s reputation. There is also a strong call for greater cooperation between the local government, businesses, and residents to ensure that the island remains an attractive destination for tourists from around the world.
Majorca’s tourism industry is struggling due to anti-tourism sentiment and rising costs, with negative messages about overcrowding and high prices driving potential visitors away. This, combined with traffic congestion and limited transport options, has led to a significant decline in tourist numbers, making this season a challenging one for local businesses.
In conclusion, Majorca’s tourism industry is facing a tough season, with conflicting opinions on the causes of the decline. While anti-tourism messages are undoubtedly contributing to the island’s struggles, economic factors such as lower budgets and rising costs are also playing a crucial role. Only time will tell how Majorca adapts to these challenges, but the need for a collective effort to protect its tourism sector has never been more pressing.
