The number of dozens of ways to extort additional money from tourists, practiced by restaurants and other catering establishments, has increased. In Majorca, a new way to empty the pockets of tourists was invented and it began to be actively implemented throughout the island. We are talking about a considerable fine for those who booked a table in a restaurant, and later either did not show up or canceled the order.
“If the person who made the reservation does not show up or cancels the reservation at the last minute, restaurants now charge a fine of up to 120 euros based on the credit card information they receive when booking,” the Spanish press explained the essence of the new levy. At the same time, the event immediately became popular among restaurateurs.
New restaurants are added every day to the restaurants that use this system in Mallorca. It is already used by every two out of ten businesses on the island. Alfonso Robledo, president of the Association of Restaurant Operators (CAEB), said the system will spread throughout the island within four years given the rapid digitization of the business. The outrage of tourists is not taken into account.
We will remind you of other methods of “relatively fair” extortion of money from tourists, practiced by restaurateurs:
- In Italy and France, a markup depending on where the tourist sits is considered a standard situation. The cheapest way is to “grab” a cup of coffee while sitting at the bar counter. Eating at a table will be more expensive. In many European restaurants, a markup is also charged for the fact that you enjoy your lunch on the terrace, the expert added.
- The “risk zone” can also turn out to be small “delights”, which will seem like a bonus to the tourist – bread, water, small snacks such as olives, which are already on the table… “Usually their cost is indicated somewhere on the menu in small print, and it is better to ask right away, whether it’s paid or not,” the expert explained. He also added that he had “heard from people in Prague” that they had been asked to pay for salt, pepper and ketchup on the table, even though they had only come in to drink beer.
- Popular tourist spots are expected to be dangerous, and some of them have fantastic markups. “St. Mark’s Square in Venice is exactly the place where you will most likely be extremely unpleasantly surprised by the bill,” the expert warned. According to him, a cup of coffee here will cost more than 12 euros. “And if the music plays while you’re enjoying your coffee, expect another six euros to be added to the bill. Never go to any food court in St. Mark’s Square!” – the expert warned tourists, adding that in the less pathetic and well-known alleys of Venice, an “excellent espresso coffee in a bar” will cost only 1.5.
- And finally, the most dangerous thing is the “dish of the day”, with which, according to Simon, he himself “fell royally” several times. For example, “in a beautiful Mediterranean restaurant” after ordering “fish of the day”. “If you don’t see the price on the menu, they can make up any number they want. If you did not ask the price, unfortunately, it will be your fault. Find out all the details, otherwise you will be horrified by your bill — but it is better to order a meal with a fixed price,” explained the expert.
In this case, Ukraine can be called quite loyal: although meals by weight have also become a common practice, as a rule, tourists are warned about this. You can also meet with the service included in the bill. But for the cancellation of the reservation, the fee is not yet charged, because it is illegal in our country, since in fact the service was not provided by the restaurant operator. And credit card details are still not required to reserve a table.