Tourism industry leaders in Spain have raised concerns following a challenging start to the year.
The Balearic Islands, which include popular destinations like Majorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, experienced a decline in restaurant patronage in 2025. Data from Delectatech linked this decline to price hikes observed consistently throughout the year. While regions such as the Basque Country and Catalonia saw marginal decreases of only 1%, the Balearic Islands were hit the hardest with a 3% drop in customers in 2025. Despite seemingly small figures, these reductions are noteworthy given the slim profit margins in the industry.
According to Majorca Daily News, the decrease in customers is attributed to rising prices in the islands. It was noted that mainland regions with more affordable dining options, such as Castile-La Mancha and Extremadura, experienced the most significant growth in customer numbers. The report indicates that consumers may have reached a limit on acceptable prices, leading to constrained spending even in traditionally less price-sensitive areas.
Concerns loom in the hospitality sector for 2026 as well. Juanmi Ferrer, head of the CAEB Restaurants Association representing restaurants in the islands, described the year’s start as “disastrous” and predicted a similar or slightly worse performance compared to the previous year.
Juanmi expressed concerns, stating, “Raising prices is the last thing a restaurant owner wants to do, as it leads to a decline in customers. This year, we will strive to absorb the additional three to four percentage points of inflation as best as we can.”
The drop in customers has prompted the Balearic government to contemplate implementing a restaurant discount initiative, similar to the one recently introduced to support small businesses. The retail program provides all residents over 16 with four vouchers worth €15 each, usable for purchases exceeding €30, in an effort to boost local shopping.
Reports from last summer indicated that certain Majorca resorts were notably quiet, with Miguel Pérez‑Marsá, head of the nightlife association, expressing concerns about the departure of desired tourists who felt unwelcome and opted for alternative destinations. Amidst over-tourism demonstrations in mainland Spain and the Canary and Balearic Islands, around 5,000 residents in Majorca protested in June 2025, urging the government to address <a aria
