Mallorca’s hospitality industry is facing a crisis as cost-conscious tourists, particularly from Britain, increasingly opt to buy food from supermarkets rather than dine out, according to local restaurant chiefs. Miguel Carrió, president of the restaurants association on Paseo Mallorca, one of Palma’s busiest dining areas, said that while tourist numbers remain at record highs, spending patterns have shifted dramatically.
Carrió noted that tourists staying in four-star hotels for €300 a night are avoiding bars and restaurants, instead purchasing prepared food from supermarkets to eat in their rooms or on the beach. He said: 'You see tourists staying in four-star hotels for €300 a night. But they don't go to bars or restaurants. They go to a supermarket, to the prepared food section, and take a loaf of bread and a slice of pizza to eat in their rooms.'
The rising cost of holidays is driving this trend, with Carrió explaining that families face total holiday costs of around €5,000, including €1,000 for flights and €200 per night for hotels. He said: 'Families don't have €3,000 to come on vacation. How much does a week's vacation in Mallorca cost? €5,000?' As a result, many prefer to pack Tupperware for the beach rather than pay €200 for a meal out.
The crisis extends beyond restaurants. The Association of Temporary Services Concessions and Operations in the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain of Mallorca (Adopuma) reported that beach bars, parasol hire, and water activity operators saw a 20 per cent drop in July compared to last summer. Adopuma president Onofre Fornés blamed 'irresponsible negative messages against tourism' and said reduced income, higher operating costs, and subdued demand for services like sun loungers have hit turnover in areas such as Playa de Muro and Can Picafort.
Rising ingredient costs, including eggs, oil, and other raw materials, are also squeezing restaurants. Carrió warned that the industry faces a tough winter trying to keep businesses afloat. Meanwhile, anti-tourism protests have intensified across Spain and its islands, with thousands marching this year, adding to the pressure on the local economy.
