“I would have liked the UK to have remained. But the decision has been taken and I know that people are getting increasingly nervous about the uncertainty. We are hearing speech after speech from key members of the British government, in particular the PM, but they either appear to mean little or nothing to the general public. Talking to repeat clients and would-be customers, I clearly get the impression that few people were fully aware of what the UK was getting itself into by voting to leave the European Union. We’ve seen the value of the pound drop, although not as sharply as predicted so far, but it is early days and the clock is ticking. I hope that I am proved wrong. But I’ve been in business all my life and I just can’t see a booming post-Brexit UK economy, not in the short to mid-term anyway, and that is not good for me or anyone else here in Majorca or elsewhere in the EU catering for British holidaymakers.
“What I am finding is that people are suddenly deciding to put their travels on hold, cut them shorter in a bid to save money or opt for a cheaper destination. Many fear that if they splash out this year, they will be unable to recuperate that money next year, once the Brexit process has begun in earnest and have a holiday at all. People are worried that the pound in their pocket this time next year is not going to be worth what it is today, so they are sitting tight or dithering, and that’s not good for business here on the island. Like I said, I hope to be proved wrong and all the Britons come back splashing the cash next year, but I just can’t see it. I wish we could get some clear and coherent decisions and information.”
27 comments
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We have stayed in Soller / Fornalutx area for a month each April over at least six years. Check out Booking.com prices for a month for somewhere nice. No suitable apartments available as no licences issued and these hotel prices are prohibitive. If the weather wasn't too great we always had a great time but I wouldn't risk a low season holiday at these prices.
Poor heating and no insulation, I avoid visiting Mallorca in the winter months unless you want to sit in a draughty restaurant wearing your coat and scarf and a free issue blanket over your knees.
You really can’t keep using Brexit as an excuse for everything that goes wrong in Mallorca. The doom mungers have been proved lacking in fact time and time again. The massive increase in the cost of hotel accommodations is certainly going to deter Brits from visiting the islands. Nothing to do with Brexit.
Instead of the Brexit effect, I would look to the price increases that the hotels have introduced this year! I think they have taken advantage of the hit on rental property that was introduced. We are not coming back this year, along with a lot of other Brits. Our hotel in Puerto Pollensa, has risen from 3,200.00 last year, to 4,500 this year, for half board! We can get better value elsewhere thank you!
Always minimum 8 weeks in summer in Paguera.Just had 5 days in Germany,Schwäbisch Gmünd,found the prices for a drink and meal cheaper,perhaps Mallorca has got complacent and greedy!
I agree with Richard, Many Brits seem to think Mallorca will sink into the sea if they stay away. Its all about location, location, location and this island has it in spades. Not only for tourism but for expat residency too. More and more europeans will make this island their home, or second home, continuing to put pressure on house and rental prices . No good complaining, its a fact of life. We live in a european paradise and that is not going to change.
Mallorca does not want tourists in July & August as the locals all moan it is too busy. No holiday rental apartments - families do not want hotelsThe world is fabulous, with many other stunning destinations to visit than Mallorca.
I know a number of families that regularly holiday in Mallorca, but wont be doing so this year. They will all tell you, it is nothing to do with Brexit or the declining value of the pound - they simply cannot find anywhere to stay. Many families do not want to stay in a hotel or holiday company apartments - they want to chose their own private holiday rental. As this option has now been taken away from them, they have simply booked elsewhere. I fully understand that the government want to have a degree of "control" over the number of visitors to the Island, but these families are the ones that would be spending a considerable amount of money in restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, supermarkets, taxis etc etc etc. I just don't understand why the Island wants to do so much damage to their own small business owners. It's a great shame for those of us who have enjoyed so many self-catered holidays on this lovely Island, but at least we can simply go elsewhere. Surely it's an even greater shame for the loss of income for the local businesses? Try as I might, I just don't get the logic!!!
Why is it they we Brits seem to think, or are under the impression that the Balearics rely entirely on the U.K. market ? We are a major player agreed, but less is sometimes more. Income after debt repayment i.e. net in the U.K. is becoming more and more uneven or unequal, and those with more of it can afford to go further afield whilst those with less ( a growing majority ) won’t be able to.
Of late Majorca acts like it's doing tourists a favour and that will be it's downfall. Greedy. Unappreciative and to top it of government tourist tax.