The Sector of Restoration in Mallorca crosses one of the worst summer times in recent decades, with alarming predictions: hundreds of restaurants will end doors by the end of the year, after more than 370 they closed last year, according to the Daily Express.
Despite the full beaches and busy streets, Spanish island restaurants are registering a significant break in the number of customers. The alert was given by Juanmi Ferrer, president of the Restoración Mallorca CAEB Association, who described the current season as the worst since the pandemic, attributing the break mainly to the change in tourist habits.
Tourists change consumer patterns
The association indicates that there are more and more tourists to avoid meals in restaurants, preferring to buy food in supermarkets or take lunch boxes.
With the increase in flight prices and accommodation, many visitors arrive with less margin to spend on restaurants, reducing consumptions to the table. According to the same source, the average table expense will have fallen between 10 and 12 percent.
Tourist regions with breaks up to 40%
Juanmi Ferrer said, quoted by the same source, “the situation is difficult and we are very concerned because May was abnormally weak due to bad weather and June did not bring the expected recovery. As early as July, although night activity has shown some dynamism, lunches remain empty in various areas of the island.”
In tourist locations such as Port de Soller, Sant Elm and Port d’Alcudia, the number of customers even dropped 40%. In Palma, in the area of Paseo Marítimo, the reduction is around 20% compared to last summer, as referred to in the above source.
According to Ferrer, the restaurants went from outlets sold out to occupations below 60%. “Tourists continue to come, but they are not going to restaurants, they are eating sandwiches,” he said.
Operation Costs
At the same time as customers are scarce, the costs to keep open establishments continue to increase. The restoration, according to the same source, faces a higher tax scenario, climbed into food prices, more expensive incomes and increased salaries due to a new collective labor agreement.
In 2023 alone, they closed 370 restaurants in Mallorca. For this year, predictions are even more negative. According to Ferrer, there are already establishments granting vacation to employees in the month of July to reduce losses.
Alarm climate among entrepreneurs
Restaución Mallorca CAEB admits that “many businesses will not be able to survive” if there is no change of course. To maintain this trend, according to, the impact may be lasting and seriously compromises the island’s gastronomic offer, one of its main tourist attractions.
For many local entrepreneurs, the summer of 2024 has become an alarm sign. Hope now falls in August and a possible reinforcement of public support or measures that encourage tourists to sit down at the table.
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