Spain holiday island imposes new rules for tourists: ‘It’s horrible!’

Brits travelling to a beloved holiday destination are set to face “extreme” new regulations at restaurants and bars.

Due to a severe staff shortage in the industry, bars and restaurants in Majorca, Spain, are being pushed to adopt self-service payment systems, with European tourists being cautioned.

The president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Juanmi Ferrer, said that the lack of staff is forcing many establishments to in order to stay afloat following the pandemic.

According to Ferrer: “It is the only solution to be able to stay open”

Some restaurants are introducing tableside payment via QR code, while others are allowing customers to place orders through QR codes or pay at a designated till.

However, not everyone is pleased with the changes, as one disgruntled reader of the Majorca Daily Bulletin expressed: “I think these machines are horrible!

“I was so disappointed when the bar at the airport was ‘renovated’ into a horrible unwelcoming space, losing all of its original Majorcan charm. But when I had to pay using one of these monstrosities, that was my final time going there!”

Describing what he calls the Italian model, Ferrer highlighted that in Italy, particularly in everyday dining spots, 85% of restaurants process orders and handle payments upfront at the cashier upon customers’ arrival.

“The owner of the establishment is usually at the cash register,” Ferrer mentioned.

Over at the renowned Palma cafe Can Joan de s’Aigo in Majorca, Manager Anselmo Cardona revealed that this pay-at-the-till method was adopted during the pandemic and has been continued as it benefits the staff, according to insights shared with the local island newspaper.

Despite acknowledging the relentless march of automation, Ferrer remains convinced that it doesn’t spell doom for service staff roles: “In the hospitality industry, human warmth will always be necessary.”