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Mallorca in crisis: Restaurants are fighting for survival!
Mallorca will see a dramatic decline in restaurant visits in 2025; Hospitality industry is struggling with closures and rising costs.
Mallorca in crisis: Restaurants are fighting for survival!
What worries do restaurant owners in Mallorca have? Many of them are currently suffering from a dramatic decline in the number of guests in the high season. Loud Mercury Some popular holiday resorts such as Port de Sóller, Sant Elm and Port d’Alcúdia are reporting declines of up to 40 percent in visitor numbers. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the gastro-entrepreneur association CAEB Restauración, warns of the closure of hundreds of restaurants if the situation continues.
Although Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, is a popular destination for tourists from the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and the United Kingdom, the innkeepers are noticing a clear trend: holidaymakers are saving money on food. This is reflected in a decline in sales per table of 10 to 12 percent. Many tourists now prefer to grab sandwiches from the supermarket in order to minimize their expenses - a direct result of rising costs for flights and accommodation.
Impact on the catering industry
In Palma, the lively capital, the number of visitors to the Paseo Marítimo is around 20 percent lower than last year. The gastronomy on Mallorca, which has traditionally been an important source of income on the island, is fighting for survival. It is also worrying that 370 restaurants had to close last year and that number could rise further this year. According to industry expert Ferrer, a restructuring of the catering industry is necessary - restaurants in the lower price segment in particular have the best chance of surviving the crisis.
However, the industry's challenges go beyond just the number of guests. Rising costs for rent, food and wages are putting pressure on operators and are leading to many restaurants only being 60 percent full. Given this situation, some establishments even grant their staff vacation during high season, which further complicates the situation.
The attractiveness of Mallorca
Despite the current difficulties, Mallorca remains an island with a lot of charm and history. With a population of approximately 940,332 (estimated for 2023) and a rich cultural past, the island is known not only for its beaches but also for its culinary specialties such as sobrassada and sweet ensaimada. Anyone who has ever visited historical places such as Palma, Alcúdia and Manacor knows that Mallorca has more to offer than just sunbathing.
Nevertheless, mass tourism has been a double-edged sword since the 1950s. While millions of tourists passionately spend the holidays every year, this development also has its downsides - especially in the current situation in the catering industry. The question remains: How will Mallorca maintain its gastronomic diversity as conditions change?
The future of restaurants on the island looks uncertain. The need to adapt and remain creative will be crucial in the coming months for Mallorca's gastronomy, which has always been an important part of the tourist offer. Will the restaurateurs have a good hand and manage to turn things around? The coming weeks and months will provide the answer.