Magaluf bar owners sound alert over drop in profits

ALL-INCLUSIVE resorts in the Balearic Islands may make tourists’ holidays easier, but not everyone seems to be happy.
A number of bar owners in Magaluf have claimed that they have noticed a reduction in profits by 20 or even 30 per cent during the present summer season.
They claim the most affected area is Punta Ballena and have taken their complaints to Palma Council to express their concern.
“We believe the ‘all-inclusive’ hotel schemes are to blame, as they offer open bars,” said the council in a statement.
The new Tourism councillor, socialist Antonio Garcia Malero has insisted that the most important step to follow is to modify the laws regarding ‘all-inclusive’ schemes, to regulate and limit them.
“This year, fewer and fewer people are coming to Calvia, especially to Magaluf. We can see it and feel it,” said the owners group.
However the council expressed their disagreement saying: “So far this year we have already reached a level of occupancy similar to that of last year. It is still too soon to give accurate numbers, but we believe we are at the same level.
“The problem we have is different, and it directly affects hotels. We have got to make a great effort to maintain the quality of our hospitality and understand that these kinds of schemes lower the quality of the area and the whole tourism sector is damaged.”
The fact that stricter regulations have come into force in the area in regards to street drinking, balconing and other reputation-damaging issues, has also being credited as one of the reasons behind the decrease in customers.