Balearic shops lose up to 15% despite more tourists
Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands are drawing more tourists, but shops across the islands report turnover down 10% to 15%. The Balearic Islands’ retail federation, Afedeco, flagged the gap on 2 October 2026, saying stronger visitor numbers are not bringing more sales to local shops.
Afedeco vice-president Pedro Miró says the question is not just how many tourists arrive, but where they spend their money. He believes more of that spending may be going towards accommodation, leisure and experiences, leaving local shops with a smaller share.
Afedeco says tourism remains important. But it wants a closer look at what the sector brings to shops, using figures for margins, costs, profitability and jobs as well as sales. More visitors alone do not mean better business for local shops, Miró says.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com