British holidaymakers are reportedly ‘snubbing’ Spanish islands after being made to feel unwelcome by locals.
Following a year of anti-tourism protests in the country, the number people holidaying in the Balearic Islands fell in 2024.
While foreign tourism overall saw a rise in the archipelago, the UK’s share dropped significantly — the largest decrease among major markets.
Only 3.57 million of the 18.7 million tourist visiting the islands last year were British, a decline of 3.2%. In 2023, UK tourism rose by 9.8%.
The decrease in tourists was the highest in July, which saw a 10.1% drop.
Last summer, thousands of locals took to the streets to protest again over tourism in the country. In May 2024, protests took place across the archipelago, with around 10,000 people rallying in Palma de Mallorca, according to the Express.
Protests in Palma de Mallorca in July 2024 were even bigger, with reportedly up to 50,000 people participating, calling for measures to protect natural resources, limit flights, regulate non-resident accommodations, and address rising living costs caused by tourism.
In response to the protests, the Balearic Government announced it will increase the tourist tax for the peak months of June, July and August from 2025.
Many British tourists reportedly cancelled their trips to the islands last summer concerned about their safety if they were to go on holiday in the Balearic Islands.
Maria Gilbert, manager of the holiday rental company, Habtur Balears, told Diario de Mallorca in August: “Long-standing clients who have been coming to Mallorca for years and had already made their reservation this year have called – after seeing the news – to cancel.”
The protests, alongside higher tourist taxes, could be playing a role in deterring potential UK holidaymakers.
Currently, the tourist tax is set at £3.30 per adult per day for guests staying at five-star and four-star-plus properties.
For guests staying in three or four-star hotels, the tax is £2 per person per day, and for those in other accommodations, it is £1.70 per person per day.
This rate is halved after eight days, and under-16s are exempt.
With rising rental costs, many British tourists could be looking at other rising destinations like Bulgaria or Montenegro emerging as viable alternatives for 2025.
In a bid to counteract this downward trend, the Balearic government is launching a public relations campaign to reframe the narrative and reassure UK visitors.
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