Hundreds of bars and restaurants in Mallorca face closure following the worst season since Covid that was rocked by anti-tourism protests Residents across Spain have urged tourists to stay away as arrivals soar By Rita Sobot and James Reynolds Published: 07:02 EDT, 19 September 2024 | Updated: 07:07 EDT, 19 September 2024 e-mail 17 View comments Hundreds of bars and restaurants in Mallorca are facing imminent closure following the worst season since Covid and tourists tightening their belts. The warning has come from the restaurant association, PIMEM-Restauración which says their members are being strangled by three essential factors - the lack of qualified personnel, the increase in staff and activity costs and a drop in sales. Its president, César Amable says the increase in travel prices - especially for plane tickets - and accommodation has hit its sector and other mainstays of the complementary offer such as commerce this summer.
'The average stay has been shortened and the budget of tourists has been limited, thus penalising the extraordinary expenses of the trip, a situation that has ended up confirming the least profitable season in recent years, a pandemic period aside,' he said. The picturesque Spanish island has also been rocked by a wave of anti-tourism protests this year calling for 'low quality' visitors to leave in response to a lack of local housing, limited job opportunities and a rising cost of living. Sinister graffiti appeared on wall in Majorca over t.