Inside Mallorca's 'very serious problem' as housing crisis starts to unfold

Classic holidays in a Spanish hotspot are under thread due to major housing and staff issues.

Ahead of holiday season, nightclub owners have shared their anxieties about serious logistical issues coming down the line. They have admitted to "praying" before the new holiday season arrives this weekend.

Bosses warn they will be running with "minimum" staff due to ongoing issues with housing. have reported of the housing crisis that has spread across the Balearic Islands, with club runners adding that they "don't know what will happen" if there is an outbreak of illness as there will be no possible replacements available.

Miguel Perez-Marsa, the head of 's nightclub association, has warned of the "very serious problem", saying its opening hours may be seriously impacted, along with a possible early end to the season being implemented. As most nightclubs on the island are preparing to open for weekends from April 11, many will also be closing for the duration of the week until the official summer season arrives.

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The nightclub association, Abone, admits that its season opening will be done with a minimum of the usual expected staff due to the industry's recent struggle to recruit new workers. This issue has been reiterated by the island's businesses in service, with restaurants and hotels adding that they can no longer recruit Spanish waiters as

The issue is a long-standing one, with some locals blaming landlords for preferring tourists over local residents as they are able to profit significantly more each month. Miguel says they are now praying that they do not face any other obstacles this season as businesses are at a complete loss concerning staff replacements. Making a comparison to the Paris-Dakar rally, the association head highlighted how even a small faulty part of a vehicle "can leave you out of the race".

He said "the sector is " finding available staff as Mallorca "pay[s] higher salaries...but what used to be very attractive wages now do not compensate for what is charged to access housing or to eat a simple meal".

Over 3,500 people attended the island's most recent demonstration last Saturday, which was mirrored across more than 40 Spanish cities where the fight against is in full flow. Posters and banners read: "Let's change course. Let's put limits on tourism"; "Mallorca is not for sale"; and "Housing is a right, not a business".

Whilst Saturday's protest was peaceful in nature, extremists were reported to have made early targets of several real estate agency offices, staining the Mallorca office with accusatory graffiti labelling them as "guilty". The Balearic government acknowledged the protestors, claiming it had 'great respect' for the marchers for but stated the only solution to the crisis to be an increase of housing.