Since June last year, when a downturn in business was reported, Mallorca restaurants have been issuing regular updates that point to a lower tourist spending as the main reason for a decline. This fall followed two post-pandemic seasons when restaurants reported exceptionally good business.
With August drawing to a close, the president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Juanmi Ferrer, pinpoints an exact date when something of a "boom" this summer came to an end - August 10. Earlier this month, Ferrer said that expectations for August were "good".
This boom was seemingly shortlived. May was negatively affected by some poor weather. June was underwhelming, and even the start of July was less than buoyant. But there was then a recovery in terms of restaurant occupancy and revenue, although Ferrer notes that business was slightly lower than in 2024 - approximately four to six per cent lower. A boom, his word, was perhaps a bit of an exaggeration.
"For several years, July has been a better month than August." And so it is proving. According to Ferrer, there has been a 20% fall in the number of customers from July to August. By comparison with August last year, there has been an eight per cent decrease. He is hoping that September will be a good month to "save the season". Otherwise, he warns that some restaurants will have to close in winter. (In tourist areas, it should be noted, the great majority of restaurants close in winter in any event.)
As to markets which have seen the greatest decline, he points to the German, British, and, above all, Spanish. Markets that have been performing better, he notes, include the French and Italian, and he adds the Indian market. "The Indian middle class is growing and is eager to travel."
Ferrer insists that he does not want to sound alarmist but argues that it is necessary to reflect reality.
The reality, though, is that not all restaurants are focused on tourism. A recent report highlighted the fact that away from the normal tourist areas, restaurants are faring well. It's because they have stuck to traditional menus and appeal to residents, those of all nationalities. They are open all year, and there are examples of restaurants in the tourist areas which also stay open; again, it is because of the customers they attract.