Tourist concern in Mallorca: Cancellations due to overcrowding and tourism phobia

In recent weeks, tourism businesses in Mallorca have experienced a marked increase in inquiries and cancellations of bookings, due to growing concern about the overcrowding and tourism phobia that is manifesting itself on the island. The situation, which has generated concern among both tourists and local operators, reflects a climate of tension that seems to be escalating as the high season progresses.

Concern among tourists

Since the beginning of the season, the press in the main tourist sending countries has widely reported on the protests being organized in Mallorca and other areas of the Balearic Islands. This has led many visitors, including regular customers, to rethink their vacations on the island, even cancelling already confirmed reservations.

Maria Gibert, manager of the Association of Tourist Homes of the Balearic Islands (HABTUR), has expressed her concern by pointing out that "long-time customers, who already had their reservation made, have called to cancel it, preferring to postpone their visit for the next season waiting for the situation to calm down". According to Gibert, inquiries from tourists concerned about their safety are increasingly frequent, with questions such as "Is it dangerous to go to Mallorca? Are we going to get hurt?".

Impact on the vacation rental sector

This same scenario is shared by Yoann Blanc, co-owner of Alquilair, noting that "we have been answering messages for weeks from guests concerned about reports of tourist-phobia back home". An example of this growing hostility occurred recently in Bunyola, where a family staying in a vacation rental home found stickers on their rental car that read "Tourist go home".

This type of acts, which also include tourism-phobic graffiti at various points on the island, such as the message "Tourismus Macht Frei", a parody of the Nazi slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei", are fueling a climate of insecurity and concern that is affecting the tourism sector as a whole.

Where are we headed?

Yoann, who is also president of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of the Balearic Islands (AJE Balears) and a board member of the Cercle d'Economia de Mallorca, has expressed his concern about the evolution of this situation. "It worries me because I don't know what the next step will be," he reflects, adding that the escalation of tension in the protests could have unforeseeable consequences for tourism on the island.

Although the scapegoat in this conflict seems to be the tourist rental, Blanc warns that the concern also extends to hotels, where customers are starting to make the same queries. "What is being experienced this summer is becoming an emotional issue," he concludes, stressing the need to find solutions to restore peace of mind for both tourists and local operators.

In summary, although the forecasts for the season were optimistic, the current situation could significantly affect the development of tourism in Mallorca if not properly managed. The uncertainty surrounding tourist overcrowding and tourism phobia requires a coordinated response involving all stakeholders in the sector to prevent these concerns from becoming a major problem in the near future.