Majorca’s once-thriving nautical industry could be on the down-turn. (Image: Getty)
The industry in Majorca has been a reliable source of commerce since the early 20th century – but price hikes could mean a fork in the road for the once-booming .
Overtourism protests in major cities on the island last summer put some UK visitors off visiting the famously sunny and affordable Balearic climes. Increased marina costs could cause more problems for ’s tourist trade.
Ports on the island have historically been home to many multi-million-pound yachts and nautical vessels – but business experts have warned that increasing marina prices are driving pleasure cruisers away.
Alex Casares, president of the Association for the Nautical Development of Businesses and the Self-Employed, said: “Yachts are leaving Majorca because of the high price of marinas.”
“This especially affects boats between 15 and 30 metres in length,” he told the Majorca Daily Bulletin, “as the larger ones have no economic problems.”
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Majorca’s sunny beaches and cultural gems make it a tourist favourite. (Image: Getty)
The ADNEA president added that prices had risen by as much as 30% in recent years, putting the island at risk of losing its prominence as a nautical docking spot amid growing popularity in other nearby tourist destinations, including Catalonia and Valencia.
He links the hikes to worker shortages and a lack of incentive from the authorities to grow and expand Majorca’s nautical industry.
“A few years ago, we had a waiting [list] for ports or marinas, but it’s getting shorter,” he said. “We run the risk that there will be fewer and fewer until we lose the prominent position we have enjoyed over the years.
“Many nautical companies in the Balearics have to reject projects due to lack of workers. As in other specialised sectors, the nautical sector faces difficulties in finding skilled labour [and] due to the shortage of workers and the high cost of port facilities, many companies are forced to turn down work.”
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The tourism economy appears to remain strong – but there are fears it could dip this year. (Image: Getty)
Mr Casares partly attributes the sector’s possible decline to its absentmindedness. With the island’s nautical economy perpetually viewed as on the up, this results in a lack of support that could be detrimental.
Despite this, statistics paint a relatively sound economic portrait of nautical companies in Majorca over the last 24 months. As of 2023, 880 enterprises were in operation, turning over just under £1 million each year.
However, Professor Amanda Belarmino, Hospitality Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, has also warned that local discontent surrounding overtourism risks having a “lasting impact” on visitor trade.
She suggested there was a “self-defeating aspect” to protests that took place across the Balearics during the peak summer season last year, adding: “Unlike a natural disaster, people may not simply reschedule their trip for another time. Consumers will feel unwelcome by the citizens and will probably stay away even after the protests are over.”
Despite the concerns, over 900,000 tourists visited the island in 2024 – though travel experts are aware that a higher rate of coming into force between July and August 2025 could be yet another reason for people to choose a different holiday destination this year.