Watch those prices in Mallorca

The other day I was charged four euros for a small beer in an area where not too long ago you could get a three-course meal for a euro

Jason MoorePalma15/04/2024 07:57

The majority of tourists who come to the island are on a budget and a sizeable part of the local population earn about 1,200 euros a month. Taking this into account, why do some bars in Palma charge such outrageous rates? The other day to my horror I found myself paying four euros for a small beer.

It wasn’t too long ago that you could get a three-course lunch for that money. In fact, the bar which charged me this outrageous sum is close to where you could have a three-course menu of the day for about a euro 30 years ago. There does need to be some price control in Mallorca at the moment. Prices continue to rise but wages stay the same.

If Mallorca is to become the new Monaco then something needs to be done and fast because the majority of the population won’t be able to afford to live here. Already there are reports of people living in cars because they can’t afford to pay the high rents. There are two options: the Balearic government calls for a massive increase in the minimum wage (which isn't going to happen) or some form of price control is introduced.

At the moment the Balearic government only sets the minimum bar price for a drink, it should set the maximum as well. Mallorca was once known as a cheap holiday destination. It has now become a bit too expensive and if this trend continues I can see tourists going elsewhere.

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4 comments

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bill | 7 months ago

many places close in winter prices have to be high for the POOR people to live through winter without workiing not a bad life is it i am aware this happens because a good mallorcan friend of mine does it

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Gabriel | 7 months ago

"It has now become a bit too expensive and if this trend continues I can see tourists going elsewhere." Not only, sir, locals as well...

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Morgan Williams | 7 months ago

Indeed, Mallorca was once known as a cheap holiday destination, widely attracting those seeking whatever is the cheapest over what is most desirable or of better quality. The history of tourism in the past 20 years is a testament to that. Spartan hotels, filthy private lets, scams... Easy to forget that now... Today the standards are much higher, attracting an increasingly different type of tourist. I suppose we could go back to the days of 3* hospitality, but I suspect nobody really wants that, except those seeking whatever is the cheapest. Besides, nobody is forcing anyone to holiday in Mallorca. Yet demand is still at record levels. Funny that. And true, most of the developed world is just as expensive or more (sometimes much more) expensive than Mallorca (anyone been to Switzerland lately?). So chances are, if it's only cheap you seek, then even a staycation won't deliver that.

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James T | 7 months ago

Your choice to drink there or not is the price control. I typically pay around €4 for a pint of cider; way cheaper than the price in the UK.

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