Rising food prices in Majorca and Ibiza may deter Brits from Balearic holidays
Food prices on the Balearic Islands have soared alongside the number of tourists visiting the archipelago over the last five years - with the cost of essentials including oil and bottled water spiking by more than 50%
Food prices on the Balearic Islands have rocketed in tandem with the surge in tourists visiting the archipelago over the past five years - with the cost of essentials such as oil and bottled water skyrocketing by over 50%.
While local protests have primarily centred around the island group's beleaguered housing market, believed to be due to an increase in short-term lets and second-homeowners, a burgeoning cost-of-living crisis is also being experienced in this popular holiday destination.
Worries about affording everyday food items surpassed overtourism and the housing market as the most urgent concern among residents, according to a survey by the Balearic Institute of Social Studies, with a staggering 84% of respondents describing it as a serious issue, reports the Express.
Alfonso Rodriguez, president of the Consubal consumers association, revealed that the cost of oil had shot up by 67% since 2020, with sugar, lamb, bottled water and juice all also increasing by around 50%, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Coupled with growing discontent and a new wave of planned protests, these escalating costs could deter international visitors from choosing Majorca and Ibiza for their summer getaway - with research indicating a decline in both domestic and foreign spending.
Data released by restaurant association Restauración CAEB showed a revenue slump in Majorca's hospitality sector by up to 20% during the first quarter of 2025, with both Spanish travellers and those from abroad seemingly spending less than the previous year.
"If spending in our sector decreases, it will inevitably affect the entire local economy," warned Juan Miguel Ferrer, the president of the association.
The rise in food costs, which some suggest may dampen tourist expenditure, could be attributed partially to a swell in wealthy expats settling on the islands – foreigners now account for nearly half the population across the archipelago.
Owing to its geographical position, the Balearic Islands are dependent on importing goods. This, combined with escalating inflation and increasing costs for raw materials, predisposes the locale to higher food expenditures.
Subsequently, this scenario might compel business proprietors to relay the financial strain to their clientele – a move manageable by well-off British visitors but likely to exacerbate the plight of local dwellers already contending with steep rent bills.
"Majorca has become uber-expensive for the average consumer, and is perhaps in danger of outpricing itself in favour of caressing the plump wallets of the super-rich," commented reporter Peter Clover in the Majorca Daily Bulletin during the previous summer.
Clover pressed on with his point: "I'm almost certain that somewhere along the line, some retail entrepreneurs are taking the proverbial and raking in the profits, while happily shafting the customer".
However, Clover concluded with a stark reminder: "But that still means that as an island, we take a harder hit than most!"
The Balearic locals are raising the alarm on living space, an institute's study shows, with a striking 72% flagging it as a "great concern", and two-thirds out of 1,300 respondents voicing deep fears over the persistent effects of excessive tourism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
High street giant launches 20% off ‘everything must go' sale ahead of store shutting for good in just weeks
No reason has been given to customers for the abrupt closure SHUTTERS DOWN High street giant launches 20% off 'everything must go' sale ahead of store shutting for good in just weeks Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE high street giant has launched a mega sale with just weeks left until the store shuts up shop for good. Locals have been left disappointed as the popular retailer is due to close down in just a matter of weeks, it has announced. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The popular video game retailer will shut up shop in just a few weeks Credit: Getty The GAME shop in Victoria Centre, Nottingham, will close its doors next month. The video game retailer has put up clearance signs in the windows announcing that all stock must go before it winds down. The store has operated at Victoria Centre for a number of years but will cease trading on July 17, according to the shop window signs. The notice also says that all stocks must go with 20% of most items. But video game fans shouldn't panic just yet as there is a House of Fraser opposite the store which has a GAME section and is under the same ownership. The Frasers Group acquired GAME in 2019 as part of a £52 million deal. GAME sells a variety of video games, consoles and pop culture merchandise. But the closure comes as the retailer has shut a number of its locations across the UK in recent months. Some have been converted into concessions within Sports Direct and other Frasers Group stores. Following Frasers Group acquiring GAME in 2019, significant restructuring and downsizing of the video game retailer has commenced. While plans don't indicate that the stores will disappear from the British high street completely many locations are expected to close. GAME, in Festival Place, Basingstoke, will be holding a 20 per cent off everything closing down sale before shutting up shop for good on August 10. As with the Nottingham branch, no reason has been given for the retailers abrupt departure from the shopping centre. But elsewhere in the Victoria Centre, other outlets have recently undergone significant refurbishments. Why are so many shops going bust? The HMV store opened a new store in April after a new revamp. What's happening to GAME? Game was acquired by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley's Frasers Group in 2019 as part of a £52million deal. However, by January 2020, the retailer announced plans to close 40 of its more than 300 stores across the UK. Today, there are approximately 240 Game stores operating nationwide. This decline comes amid a significant drop in sales of physical video games, compared to Game's heyday in the early 2000s. The Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) revealed that in 2022, nearly 90 per cent of all video games sold in the UK were digital downloads.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Pretty town with UK's best high street bursting with 170 independent shops
Over 13,000 shops closed across the UK last year – including thousands of independents – but Stamford's high street continues to flourish and there's a reason why High streets across the nation are facing closures, with many empty shopfronts, but one little town is thriving instead. Stamford, a market town with a population of just over 20,000 in Lincolnshire, boasts the most listed buildings for a town of its size, with more than 600, and is home to around 170 independent shops. Whilst other retailers may be feeling the pinch, Stamford continues to buck the national trend, with businesses thriving thanks to a loyal community, a strong tourist pull and a close-knit network of traders supporting one another, the Express reports. "The message is pretty clear - use us or lose us," says Ben Stevenson, owner of jewellery shop Rubirox, which just marked its 15th birthday. "If you want us to stay here then you need to keep shopping in the town. And people do! It's a great town to be based in." READ MORE: Elizabeth Hurley risks wardrobe malfunction on date night with Billy Ray Cyrus Rubirox sits proudly on St Mary's Street – crowned the UK's best high street for independent shops last year. Ben credits the success to Stamford's unique sense of community and said: 'A lot of the locals want to support their businesses.' Over 13,000 shops closed across the UK last year – including thousands of independents – but Stamford's high street continues to flourish. Sarah Sewell, who runs Energy Clothing and is chair of Shop Stamford, started the initiative to promote the town's shops eight years ago. "We've got a good regular customer base from the local community," she says. "That sense of trust we've built over time." Their annual Little Book of Stamford highlights shops, includes a town map, and is distributed around local hotels and campsites. Shop Stamford started on social media as a campaign to promote the town but now it's in its fifth edition being published as a book as disturbed widely so when people arrive they can get their hands on it and know exactly what's on offer. Markets play a vital role in the town's success, with over 70 stalls filling Broad Street and Ironmonger Street every Friday. From produce and flowers these markets along the farmers' markets and weekend stalls in Red Lion Square regularly draw crowds to the town. Stamford's historical charm also keeps the visitors coming. Burghley House, a grand Elizabethan mansion just outside the town, was used as Windsor Castle in The Crown, while Pride and Prejudice fans might recognise scenes shot in the town centre. For Molly Clegg, who runs Murano Silver, the town's success lies in its community of shops, not competition. "You can have the best shop in the world but if you're the only shop in the town, you're trying to bring people in yourself," she says. 'Because there's lots of us, and we work well together as a community, it brings people to the town rather than to an individual place. I'm not the only jewellers' in Stamford, there are other brilliant ones here. But we always refer each other to customers.' Support from local landlords also plays a role. Nicholas Rudd-Jones, who helps produce the Little Book of Stamford, says: "You get relatively smaller scale landlords in Stamford who own 20 to 30 properties and favour the independent sector. This is quite important in helping the businesses." Stamford has also held onto its reputation as a top spot for a weekend break or relaxing day out. The Crown Hotel, a coaching inn dating back to the 1800s remains a staple. "You can come here and have a coffee, have your brunch, have your lunch, do some shopping, you can have an hour wandering around looking at architecture, you can visit a church. We've got the whole experience here," says its owner Michael Thurlby. He says even in November, business is steady. It seems that Stamford has found the perfect mix to keep thriving and to keep its community happy and it all comes down to community and neighbourly spirit, businesses working together to bring in crowds and promote one another and landlords being invested in businesses thriving.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Motorists warned of 5 new driving scams costing Brits thousands
Fraudsters are using 5 new tactics to trick drivers out of money. Motorists are being warned to be aware of new scams targeting British drivers. Fraudsters are costing motorists thousands of pounds with five new key tactics. From tampered QR codes on parking meters to convincing fake DVLA messages - drivers are being urged stay vigilant or risk losing their hard-earned cash. In 2024, scam reports to the DVLA soared to nearly 20,000, prompting motoring experts at LeaseLoco to make drivers aware of how to spot suspicious activity and avoid being caught out. While younger drivers aged 25-34 are the most common victims of vehicle-related scams like used car fraud and bogus insurance deals, older motorists are increasingly being targeted too - with fraudsters preying on their uncertainty around online payments to issue fake parking fines. John Wilmot, CEO of car lease comparison website LeaseLoco, said: 'Unfortunately driving-related scams are really common and they work well for fraudsters because they can create a sense of urgency. 'A lot of these scams will urge you to quickly pay a fee to avoid facing bigger fines. When we see something like this we often rush to get the payment done rather than stopping and checking the legitimacy of the message or letter. 'The good news is there are ways to spot these scams which can prevent you from losing any money. 2025 scams driver should to be aware of QR codes on parking meters Scammers are placing QR code stickers onto parking meters in the hopes of tricking motorists to scan the QR code and 'pay' for their parking. To avoid being caught out, stick to using official car parking apps such as RingGo and PayByPhone. It's also worth noting that most councils won't use QR codes for payment, but will instead tend to provide a machine or stick to apps. DVLA messages Fake DVLA messages often state that your license needs updating or that your car tax has failed, forcing you to hand over sensitive information. It's important to remember that the DVLA will never ask for money or personal information via email or text. Never click on any links within these messages and only access the DVLA website through Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. PCN fines Scammers may send fake parking charge notices to your house by post, urging you to pay a fake parking charge before the fine increases. A real PCN notice will have the date, time and location of your alleged violation. If you're still unsure whether your letter is real or not you can contact the council's parking department to check if the fine is genuine. Used car sales Be wary of any car deals that look too good to be true on online marketplaces. In 2023, nearly half a million pounds was reported as lost to Facebook car scams. Scammers will often post a fake ad for a car at a very low price and ask people interested for an upfront payment via bank transfer. They avoid having anyone come and see the car in person by claiming to be abroad too. When purchasing a used car, never make a payment before seeing the car in person and check the vehicle history on the government website. Toll or congestion charge messages Drivers can receive messages claiming they owe money for crossing a toll or congestion zone followed by a 'pay now' link. Before opening any links, remember that any genuine toll notifications will come from or other verified operators such as TfL, M6 Toll and Dart Charge for Dartford Crossing.
