The Soller Valley on the island of Majorca has seen a steep decline in visitor numbers this summer with some locals fearing that anti-tourism protests have scared visitors away
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Locals in a Spanish town have confessed they “scared tourists away” following overtourism demonstrations that resulted in a sharp drop in visitor numbers. The Soller Valley, situated on Majorca, has relied on tourism as the cornerstone of its local economy for generations, with hospitality venues, drinking establishments and eateries providing employment whilst attracting guests from around the globe.
Nevertheless, the town, similar to numerous Spanish regions, has witnessed mounting frustration with the tourism sector, with international visitors held responsible for soaring property costs, rising antisocial conduct and pressure on public facilities. A series of demonstrations throughout Spain have seen holidaymakers instructed to “go home”, yet some Soller Valley inhabitants fear that their message may have been taken to heart.
One accommodation proprietor informed the Majorca Daily Bulletin: “We’ve scared the tourists away.
“I wouldn’t want to spend my holidays in a place where I don’t feel welcome.”
A server at a neighbourhood restaurant dependent on tourism revealed that the area had battled to draw visitors in the quantities seen in former years, reports the Express.
They said: “Except on weekends or rainy days, there’s not much going on here; we’re just waiting around, and it’s been like this since May.”
This perspective is supported by statistics, with Majorcan authorities confirming a decline in tourist figures throughout the Balearic Islands after multiple substantial anti-tourism rallies. According to the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), municipalities such as Soller are witnessing notable drops in visitor numbers whilst the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that industry representatives from hotel, hospitality and transport sectors have documented reduced tourist footfall.
Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, revealed his excursion bookings have plummeted by 20% this summer, with Valldemossa, Palma, and Port Soller bearing the brunt of the decline.
He stated: “The anti-tourism messages are resonating. If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays.
“We are sending the message that we don’t want tourists and that everything is too crowded.”
Juanmi Ferrer, head of the Restaurants Association in Mallorca (CAEB), has cautioned that diminished visitor numbers could force eateries across the island to shut their doors this year.
Certain regions are experiencing customer drops of up to 40%, and in an extraordinarily rare development, restaurants in typically bustling tourist centres like Soller are permitting staff holidays during the height of the busy season.
In June, approximately 10,000 demonstrators marched through Palma’s streets demanding an end to the “touristification” of their region.
Protesters urged local councils to take stronger action against tourism’s effects whilst simultaneously warning prospective visitors to seek alternative destinations.