Fewer Germans in Mallorca: Why vacation mood is waning this year

A summer with fewer German voices

As someone who passes by the Paseo Marítimo more often in July, I've noticed: fewer German plates, more British and Scandinavian voices. This is not just a gut feeling – the numbers show that this year, between May and July, there were significantly fewer guests and overnight stays from Germany.

The economy is putting the brakes on

The main reason sounds unexciting, but it works: the situation in Germany. A stagnant economic performance, rising prices and insecure job prospects cause many households to hesitate longer before booking. This is also confirmed by the adviser for Turespaña in Berlin, Álvaro Blanco: When people save at home, Mallorca holidays are often the first to be cut or postponed.

In plain terms: while hotels and flights have become more expensive, the vacation budget shrinks – and you can notice it here at the bar, in Vapors and with small boat rental operators.

The affordable alternatives are gaining ground

Those who still want to go out are looking for the best value for money. Destinations like Antalya or some Greek islands offered noticeably cheaper nightly rates this summer. An industry observer calculated that the average costs in some comparison regions were only a fraction of Balearic prices – an argument that attracts many families.

That has consequences: tour operators report more inquiries toward the eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, some vacationers shift their holidays to the off-season to avoid the high summer prices. That changes the rhythm on the island: more guests in early autumn, noticeably fewer in July.

Saving more at the checkout

The German consul in Mallorca, Wolfgang Engstler, puts it succinctly: When flights and overnight stays get more expensive, there is less left for restaurants, excursions or the afternoon ice cream. Hoteliers and gastro businesses report in practice that revenue per head has noticeably declined.

The sentiment in the market is ambivalent: some locals welcome the calm, others who rely on tourism feel the gap painfully.

Protests are a topic – but not the main reason

In German media protests against tourism have recently been widely discussed. This affects the perception, says an industry insider, but is not the main driver of the decline. Prices and economic uncertainty remain decisive.

The Balearic government is trying to send reassuring signals and emphasizes that visitors are still welcome.

What is important now

For the island this means: more flexible offers, better price segmentation and stronger advertising in the off-season. For us on the ground it means responding pragmatically – cafes reopen later, small providers offer combo discounts, and some hotels have quickly put together special weekly packages.

Whether this is enough will be shown in autumn. One thing is certain: Mallorca continues to rely on tourism, but target groups and times are changing. And yes, sometimes that's quite pleasant – as long as the people who work here are not treated unfairly.