Revenues slump by 20 percent: Mallorca struggles with a lull in sunbed rentals

• In the video: Freddy (18) spends a month on Mallorca - but never books a hotel

What was once a scarce commodity on the popular holiday island of Mallorca now often remains unused: beach loungers. This is what the Adopuma association, the advocacy group for beach service providers, announced in Mallorca Magazine .

In July, revenue from the sale of beach loungers plummeted by 20 percent compared to the same month last year. This was primarily due to rising operating costs, expensive flights and hotels, and vacationers themselves, who no longer want to treat themselves to extra amenities on the beach.

After a rainy May, which already limited the use of beach services, "there has been no recovery and July ended with a loss," explained Onofre Fornés, chairman of the association, according to Canal 4. The problem is particularly noticeable in areas like Playa de Muro or Can Picafort in the north of Mallorca .

Even on weekends, when many vacationers flock to the beach promenades, many loungers remain empty. This hasn't happened since the coronavirus pandemic, some locals say. As a result, some landlords are already shortening their daily opening hours or even sending employees home early.

This decline is affecting a sector "that creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs every year," Fornés emphasized, according to "Canal 4." Mallorca's city council is responding by announcing that it will reduce the number of sunbeds available by 20 percent next year. The official reason given is that they want to give locals more space for their towels.

• Significantly higher hotel prices: Many vacationers report that they now have to pay double for the same accommodation. Especially during peak season, even mid-range hotels are barely affordable.
• Dining out is becoming a luxury. Restaurant visits are significantly more expensive than before. Some tourists are foregoing them altogether and preferring to self-cater – for cost reasons.
• "Luxury instead of lifestyle" Restaurants that were once meeting places for locals are increasingly being replaced by exclusive, expensive concepts. For many, this makes the island feel less authentic.
• Rising flight costs put a strain on holiday budgets . Anyone who flies to Mallorca also has to dig deeper into their pockets for the journey – money that is then missing once they get there.
• Guests are spending less overall. Despite high tourist numbers, restaurants and service providers are reporting significant declines in revenue. The trend is toward frugal vacations—with homemade sandwiches instead of eating out.