As tourist numbers surge across major global destinations, Spain has joined US, Japan, UK, France, and Türkiye in implementing strict upfront dining payment policies to combat a troubling rise in last-minute cancellations and reservation no-shows. These travel hotspots are cracking down as restaurants struggle to recover lost revenue and manage operations with fewer staff, prompting a shift toward prepaid bookings, QR code payments, and cashless service to ensure financial stability during peak tourism seasons.
This crackdown comes amid increased financial pressure on restaurants caused by staffing shortages, inflation, and post-pandemic operational changes. The goal is clear: eliminate revenue losses tied to reservation flakers and optimize operations for a returning wave of international tourists.
Why the Crackdown? No-Shows Erode Restaurant Profitability
In recent years, diners—especially tourists—have increasingly made reservations they fail to honor, often without canceling. In tourist-heavy destinations like Majorca, Paris, Tokyo, and New York, this trend has hit restaurateurs hard, with many losing income on booked tables that remain empty. According to industry estimates, no-shows can account for 10% to 20% of daily seating losses.
Spain’s hospitality businesses, particularly in islands like Majorca and Ibiza, have been vocal about the economic damage caused by no-shows. Many establishments are now demanding a prepayment of €30 to €50 (approx. £26 to £43) to confirm a booking, especially at popular eateries along the Mediterranean coast and Balearic Islands. Some venues apply this as a deposit while others deduct it from the final bill.
Spain Follows a Global Trend Among Travel Powerhouses
Spain’s decision mirrors broader policies already in place across other global travel hotspots:
United States
In cities like New York, San Francisco, and Miami, high-end restaurants have long required deposits or full prepayments via platforms like Tock and Resy. Michelin-starred venues such as The French Laundry and Alinea mandate non-refundable full payments at the time of booking.
Japan
In Tokyo and Kyoto, many elite sushi bars and omakase restaurants, including hidden-gem counters with just 8–10 seats, operate on prepaid-only reservations. Platforms like Pocket Concierge and TableAll allow international tourists to book—but only with upfront payments due to the extremely limited seating and high demand.
United Kingdom
Major London restaurants like Gymkhana, Hutong, and Chutney Mary now require diners to commit to minimum spends of £60 to £100 per person, billed in advance. This model was adopted after increasing no-shows disrupted service and damaged margins, especially in high-traffic tourist zones like Soho and Mayfair.
France
In Paris, many upscale and Michelin-starred restaurants have started requiring credit card guarantees or advance deposits, especially for group bookings and peak periods. While not yet universal, this practice is growing fast, especially in tourist-congested districts near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre.
Türkiye
The All Restaurants and Tourism Association (TÜRES) has proposed a nationwide policy requiring 50% prepayment at the time of booking. The aim is to reduce no-shows during peak times, particularly during religious festivals like Ramadan, when demand surges. Several Istanbul and Antalya restaurants have already implemented the measure independently.
Spain’s System: Deposit at Booking, Automation on Arrival
Spain’s transition goes beyond just collecting deposits. A growing number of restaurants, especially in Majorca, Ibiza, Valencia, and Barcelona, are also rolling out QR code-based ordering systems, self-payment options, and cashless-only models to streamline operations in the face of staff shortages.
Some restaurants now require tourists to pre-pay when reserving online, and complete final payments via mobile when on-site—cutting down on labor costs while ensuring guaranteed income.
The CAEB Restaurants Association in Spain has endorsed this system, calling it “the only viable path” to survival amid rising costs and personnel shortages. Majorca alone has faced severe hospitality labor shortages from 2022 through 2024, forcing restaurants to reduce hours or even close for entire shifts during high season.
Staff Shortages and the Automation Push
The shift to upfront payments is also intertwined with a much deeper structural issue: chronic staff shortages in the hospitality sector.
The lack of affordable housing near tourism zones in Spain and other major destinations has discouraged seasonal workers from returning post-COVID. In cities like Palma and Valencia, restaurant owners say they simply cannot hire enough staff to cover pre-pandemic operations.
This has accelerated the shift toward automation and tech-based solutions, such as:
QR code menus and payments
Order-at-counter models (similar to the “Italian system”)
Tablet-based ordering at tables
Cashless-only establishments
While these systems may sacrifice the classic restaurant experience, they allow businesses to operate with fewer human resources and serve more customers reliably.
Impact on Tourists: What Travelers Need to Know
Tourists heading to these destinations should be aware of key changes in how they dine out:
Prepayment Required: You may need to pay a deposit—or even the full bill—when making a reservation, especially at popular spots or during peak seasons.
Cancellation Policies: Many restaurants only refund deposits if you cancel 24–48 hours in advance.
Digital Payments: Be ready to pay with cards or mobile apps, as more venues go cashless.
Foreign Transaction Fees: Using your home credit/debit card abroad may result in added charges—check with your bank beforehand.
Limited Flexibility: Last-minute walk-ins or changes are increasingly difficult in busy tourist areas.
Tourist Feedback Mixed but Growing Acceptance
While some travelers express frustration at having to pay before even stepping into a restaurant, many accept that guaranteeing a table in a top-tier tourist destination requires commitment.
Booking platforms now display warnings about upfront charges, and restaurants often send email or SMS reminders to prevent misunderstandings.
The trend is particularly widespread in destinations catering to high-volume tourism, where empty seats equal major financial losses.
Spain has joined US, Japan, UK, France, and Türkiye in enforcing upfront dining payments as travel destinations crack down on costly no-shows and last-minute cancellations. The move aims to protect restaurants facing mounting losses and operational strain during peak tourist seasons.
Future Outlook: Is This the Global Norm Now?
As tourism continues rebounding in 2025, more countries may follow suit. Already, industry insiders in Italy, Portugal, and Greece are observing the trend with interest.
In an era of digital convenience, guaranteed footfall, and rising operational costs, prepaid dining could soon become the international standard, especially in cities where demand far outpaces supply.
The restaurant industry is clearly evolving. While some nostalgic travelers may miss the ease of “just showing up,” operators across the globe are prioritizing sustainability, reliability, and efficiency over tradition.
The global tourism experience is shifting—both for diners and for the hospitality industry itself. With Spain now officially joining the ranks of the US, Japan, the UK, France, and Türkiye in requiring upfront payments for dining, this signals a broader crackdown that balances financial security for restaurants with operational survival.
Whether travelers love it or not, the days of risk-free reservations may be numbered. Booking a table now often means putting money on it—literally.
AloJapan.com