Industry leaders in Majorca have warned that ongoing anti-tourism protests are driving away British holidaymakers, with some resorts described as 'completely dead'. The warnings come after several years of campaigning against the impact of mass tourism on the Balearic Islands.
Juanmi Ferrer, president of the restaurant association, said the protests are 'scaring visitors away', while Miguel Pérez‑Marsá, head of the nightlife association, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: 'The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations.' Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, noted that sales were down 20% as key markets including the UK and Germany stay away.
Biel Rosales, who runs excursion provider Proguies Turístics, said activity had been halved this summer, blaming both protests and rising prices. Biel Moragues, from a taxi association, said British tourists are the most upset and have changed their destination. Lesley Johnson, a British expat of 30 years, said the main strip is now 'dead' on weekends.
Official figures for March show UK visitor numbers to Majorca fell 23.2% year-on-year to 48,741, while the Balearics as a whole saw a 25.3% drop. Other markets also declined, with France down 39.4% and Italy 40.1%. However, the Canary Islands have seen a surge: UK visitors to Lanzarote increased by nearly 40,000 in the five months to May 2025.
Not all agree on the crisis. Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca, argued that visitor numbers would still grow by 5% this year once the season ends. Official June figures for Majorca are expected this week.
