Mallorca recession?
Discussion
I'm off to Mallorca for our second visit to the island having had such a great holiday last year....
The villa rental prices look as high as ever (I booked in January) which got me wondering about how the Mallorcan economy is.... The news on the Spanish economy continues to be gloomy and I wondered if this was having any impact in Mallorca.
The villa rental prices look as high as ever (I booked in January) which got me wondering about how the Mallorcan economy is.... The news on the Spanish economy continues to be gloomy and I wondered if this was having any impact in Mallorca.
Another country I know but a mate has just come back from holidaying in the Greek islands and says that everything is even more expensive than last year and no one is accepting credit/debit cards. Looks like they are grabbing as much money as possible (and not declaring it) before the brown stuff really hits the fan.
Maybe it's the same mentality in Spain.
Maybe it's the same mentality in Spain.
I'm off there tomorrow as well, I think Mallorca has been hit to some extent purely because of the state Spain's in general but it does seem to have a bit of a financial microclimate when it comes to property and rental prices as you've seen purely because its where it is. Their unemployment rate is one of the worst in Spain though. It'll be interesting to see if the atmospheres been affected in the resorts...
Out in Majorca at the moment - its a lot quieter than this time last year, prices of everything seen to be 5-10% higher & the Germans are staying away this year as they are not spending their Euro's outside of Germany.
Very strange atmosphere this year with quite a few bars, restaurants & shops closed down over the winter months. A lot of bar owners are worried that they might not be open in 2013.
Very strange atmosphere this year with quite a few bars, restaurants & shops closed down over the winter months. A lot of bar owners are worried that they might not be open in 2013.
I was in Majorca last week, very quiet in town (palma) but the all inclusive resort we were in was busy.
It's funny how things change over the years when the menu you looked at, English was the first language, now it's German.
I would say at least 80% German at the moment. Many bars closed down and the ones that were open I don't know how they make it pay, fabulous looking bars with seating and bar area for 100 people with just a few couples, it's sad really, not how I remembered it from just 5 years ago.
It's funny how things change over the years when the menu you looked at, English was the first language, now it's German.
I would say at least 80% German at the moment. Many bars closed down and the ones that were open I don't know how they make it pay, fabulous looking bars with seating and bar area for 100 people with just a few couples, it's sad really, not how I remembered it from just 5 years ago.
Another of their problems is the all inclusive package. I'm heading to Majorca in August and a mate of mine who lives over there, says the locals are struggling because of this. I was in Lanzarote last month and the situation is the same there. When people go all inclusive very few actually go out and spend any money in the resort. In Costa Tequise everyone agreed that a couple of hotels should allowed to be AI but that would be it. The trouble was they all started doing it.
I personally love going to other bars and eating out. I have done AI and I hated it. Handy for a few drinks around the pool but that was it for me. So we cant complain when we walk around a resort and loads of places are shut or empty.
I personally love going to other bars and eating out. I have done AI and I hated it. Handy for a few drinks around the pool but that was it for me. So we cant complain when we walk around a resort and loads of places are shut or empty.
steve_bmw said:
I was in Majorca last week, very quiet in town (palma) but the all inclusive resort we were in was busy.
It's funny how things change over the years when the menu you looked at, English was the first language, now it's German.
I would say at least 80% German at the moment. Many bars closed down and the ones that were open I don't know how they make it pay, fabulous looking bars with seating and bar area for 100 people with just a few couples, it's sad really, not how I remembered it from just 5 years ago.
Depends where you go. Cala d'Or is still a large part British but Cala Ratjada in the north may as well be a German territory.It's funny how things change over the years when the menu you looked at, English was the first language, now it's German.
I would say at least 80% German at the moment. Many bars closed down and the ones that were open I don't know how they make it pay, fabulous looking bars with seating and bar area for 100 people with just a few couples, it's sad really, not how I remembered it from just 5 years ago.
Villa prices won't decrease as they still have to cover their mortgages - the best you can hope for is a better exchange rate.
Got back from my two weeks in Pollensa late saturday afternoon - by 9.45am yesterday morning i had booked again for May 2013 & put a refundable deposit down on another two week stay in August of this year!
As i said earlier the resorts do seem quieter however that would appear to be due to the dramatic fall in the number of Germans holidaying in Majorca this year. One rep told me that the bookings from Germany were down by almost 30% due to the problems with the Euro.
Not sure if that figure is correct however during my two weeks in Pollensa the number of Germans could be counted on the fingers of two hands.
Prices are dearer than last year, which is only to expected i suppose, however the Brits seemed to be out in force with my hotel being full all summer.
Only other point of concern is the new rules from British Customs & Excise regarding the number of cigarettes etc that can be brought back to the UK.
Up to 30/9/11 the limit had always been 3200 cigarettes per person, 3kgs of tobacco & 200 each of cigars & cigarillos. Now the rules re cigarettes & tobacco have been 'amended' with a guideline amount of 800 cigarettes per person & 1kg of tobacco - anyone who takes more than 800 & 1kg back into the UK runs the risk of having to prove to Customs that the cigarettes etc are for personnal use & if Customs have any suspicions that they are notfor personal use they will take them all off you - even though their own website does actually say that the amount of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco etc that can be brought back into the UK is unlimited so they appear to be hedging their bets by having a minimum guideline & an unlimited allowance.
I brought 3200 back & walked through Customs without a problem so who knows exactly what they will or do. Hopefully i wont be on the receiving end of a grilling from them!!!
I guess it depends on the Customs officials attitude at the airport. Due to the changes, & the f
ked up Euro!, the cost of cigarettes etc at the Tabacs were higher than last year by around 10% from what i can recall.
Having said that i love Majorca, the people, the way of life so i have no complaints at all. We had a great two weeks, our regular bars that we have been using for the past 4 years were still there & they appear to be making money so they should be there next year.
It seems that the smaller bars are having trouble making any money - the bars in & around Pollensa sea front & the main square were almost always full so maybe they are doing a better job than others in keeping the paying punters happy.
So hopefully Majorca can ride out the Eurozone storm & i am looking forward to many more happy holidays on the island.
One final point - should i think about going to other countries to see what they have to offer? In all honestly yes, however i have found a great hotel, a great resort & made some good friends in Majorca so for a while at least i wont be going anywhere else.
As i said earlier the resorts do seem quieter however that would appear to be due to the dramatic fall in the number of Germans holidaying in Majorca this year. One rep told me that the bookings from Germany were down by almost 30% due to the problems with the Euro.
Not sure if that figure is correct however during my two weeks in Pollensa the number of Germans could be counted on the fingers of two hands.
Prices are dearer than last year, which is only to expected i suppose, however the Brits seemed to be out in force with my hotel being full all summer.
Only other point of concern is the new rules from British Customs & Excise regarding the number of cigarettes etc that can be brought back to the UK.
Up to 30/9/11 the limit had always been 3200 cigarettes per person, 3kgs of tobacco & 200 each of cigars & cigarillos. Now the rules re cigarettes & tobacco have been 'amended' with a guideline amount of 800 cigarettes per person & 1kg of tobacco - anyone who takes more than 800 & 1kg back into the UK runs the risk of having to prove to Customs that the cigarettes etc are for personnal use & if Customs have any suspicions that they are notfor personal use they will take them all off you - even though their own website does actually say that the amount of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco etc that can be brought back into the UK is unlimited so they appear to be hedging their bets by having a minimum guideline & an unlimited allowance.
I brought 3200 back & walked through Customs without a problem so who knows exactly what they will or do. Hopefully i wont be on the receiving end of a grilling from them!!!
I guess it depends on the Customs officials attitude at the airport. Due to the changes, & the f
ked up Euro!, the cost of cigarettes etc at the Tabacs were higher than last year by around 10% from what i can recall.Having said that i love Majorca, the people, the way of life so i have no complaints at all. We had a great two weeks, our regular bars that we have been using for the past 4 years were still there & they appear to be making money so they should be there next year.
It seems that the smaller bars are having trouble making any money - the bars in & around Pollensa sea front & the main square were almost always full so maybe they are doing a better job than others in keeping the paying punters happy.
So hopefully Majorca can ride out the Eurozone storm & i am looking forward to many more happy holidays on the island.
One final point - should i think about going to other countries to see what they have to offer? In all honestly yes, however i have found a great hotel, a great resort & made some good friends in Majorca so for a while at least i wont be going anywhere else.
Very interesting, thanks.
It's a shame the prices appeared to have increased, I will bear that in mind. We tend to eat out a lot on holiday, perhaps we'll have a few more BBQ's this year!
As to visiting other places... We ALWAYS went elsewhere on hols, and Mallorca was our first visit last year. We loved it. We stayed in the old town of Pollença and thought the people were a delight. The Spanish seem so much more welcoming than the French.
It's a shame the prices appeared to have increased, I will bear that in mind. We tend to eat out a lot on holiday, perhaps we'll have a few more BBQ's this year!
As to visiting other places... We ALWAYS went elsewhere on hols, and Mallorca was our first visit last year. We loved it. We stayed in the old town of Pollença and thought the people were a delight. The Spanish seem so much more welcoming than the French.
We've been to Mallorca 3 times and never tire of it. we're only doing Spain this year because the Mallorcan flights were silly times but after Florida next year, we'll be back.
On the meals front, Cala D'Or is still great for reasonably cheap meals like pastas for the children especially.
On the meals front, Cala D'Or is still great for reasonably cheap meals like pastas for the children especially.
NDA said:
Silly housekeeping question....
Is there a major supermarket in or around Pollença? I found a few tiny mini markets, but didn't spot a biggie. I reckon the more expensive villa this year and the prices going up will result in more food at home..
There are now 4 Eroski supermarkets in the Pollensa area:Is there a major supermarket in or around Pollença? I found a few tiny mini markets, but didn't spot a biggie. I reckon the more expensive villa this year and the prices going up will result in more food at home..
1. Puerto Pollensa Main (Formerly Caprabo) -
this supermarket (the largest) can be found just after the main roundabout as you enter Puerto Pollensa, on the left-hand side opposite the petrol station.
Mon-Sat 09:30 - 21:30 Sun (Apr-Oct) 09:30 - 14:30
2. Puerto Pollensa (town centre)
Avenida de Joan XXIII, 22
this supermarket can be found on the main road (Juan XXIII), near the Marina, on the left-hand side (when facing the sea)
3. Pollensa (countryside)
Carretera Pollensa km 4,4
this supermarket can be found in an industrial estate on the Pto Pollensa-Pollensa road on the left-hand side when leaving Pto Pollensa (where restaurant Balaixa used to be) and is useful for those staying in Villas.
4. Eroski - Pollensa Town
Vía Argentina, 15
Pollença
Eroski is far cheaper than Spar but Lidl is also well worth checking out. That said, none of the prices can match the UK prices and are reassuringly expensive so its nothing to spend 100 Euros on a provisional shop.
I have no sympathy for these resorts, their prices are ridiculous. I priced a week in Portaventura for two adults and one teenager for the first week in July and they wanted £2600 WTF, we where in Orlando and Miami for 3 weeks last October and it cost us £2500 for flights and accommodation.
These places in Europe need to wake up and smell the coffee, no way am I paying that sort of money for a week in Spain or any other part of Europe for that matter I will take my money and spend in the USA.
These places in Europe need to wake up and smell the coffee, no way am I paying that sort of money for a week in Spain or any other part of Europe for that matter I will take my money and spend in the USA.
ChrisBMW said:
I have no sympathy for these resorts, their prices are ridiculous. I priced a week in Portaventura for two adults and one teenager for the first week in July and they wanted £2600 WTF, we where in Orlando and Miami for 3 weeks last October and it cost us £2500 for flights and accommodation.
These places in Europe need to wake up and smell the coffee, no way am I paying that sort of money for a week in Spain or any other part of Europe for that matter I will take my money and spend in the USA.
Why? These places in Europe need to wake up and smell the coffee, no way am I paying that sort of money for a week in Spain or any other part of Europe for that matter I will take my money and spend in the USA.
Do you feel that you are getting better value for money by travelling further afield for the same cost?
Not stirring, just striking debate.
fatboy69 said:
As i said earlier the resorts do seem quieter however that would appear to be due to the dramatic fall in the number of Germans holidaying in Majorca this year. One rep told me that the bookings from Germany were down by almost 30% due to the problems with the Euro.
I'm also just back and cant say my findings agree with you. The hotel I stayed at was fully booked (usually unheard of at this time of year according to the reception staff). And it was full of... Germans & Russians with a scattering of brits. Its a 4 star Spa hotel so not rammed because it was dirt cheap or All Inc either, far from it. I do agree though that prices have gone up big style for eating out. There's a nice Indian restaurant near where I was staying that did a set meal for 13.50 euros per head last year. Same thing this year is 17!Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff