According to Spain's tourism agency Turespaña, there were 204,487 US tourists in the Balearics over the first eight months of 2023. An increase of over 20% compared with 2022, this number makes the US the eighth largest foreign tourism market behind Germany, the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland.
Majorca tourism
Why Mallorca wants US tourists - They spend twice as much as the British and the Germans
Retail sales benefiting in particular from US tourists
Also in Holiday
- Spain wants Britons to show they have 113.40 euros, £97, per day for their holidays
- Over two hours for Britons to get through Palma airport queues
- Palma Airport passport control "collapse" put down to unscheduled flights
- Living in a motorhome in Palma: "It'll only get worse"
- Watch those prices in Mallorca
12 comments
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David HollandI'm with you. Regarding your previous statement, we get a lot of Germans and frankly, I'm pretty surprised at how much money they have to spend. And they generally leave the places in really clean and orderly condition. Americans: we get a precious few... generally uncomplicated, easy, happy. Yes, big spenders. Generally clean. orderly. Because we're not located in or near a British resort, we don't get many Brits, but those few we do get tend to be rather stereotypical - e.g., averse to "foreign stuff". One British family complained that the appliances were unusable because the dials were in a "foreign language". I never really figured how that made them unusable. Others complain that there's "nothing around" ...despite 10 or 12 decent (several outstanding) restaurants, lots of boutique shops, major supermarkets, quaint bars, etc. within 5 mins drive - (though none of which are particularly English in nature). And Brits are often price sensitive ...asking for discounts... which I reckon could be another reason why Brits don't tend to book our places. We don't give discounts. We belong to a local association of owners of tourist lets and they all share similar experiences. Everybody likes the Germans because they're for the most part, low maintenance, uncomplicated, conscientious, big spenders, and actually enjoy being in a new and different world. That generally applies to most northern Europeans as well. Brits tend to be high maintenance, complain a lot and often cause minor damage. Some examples we've seen and the other tourist let owners seem to agree - Brits often use spray-on tanning products that stain the sheets, pillowcases and towels - (the laundry can't get those stains out, so you just have to replace them), many Brits generally won't even try to tidy up a little before leaving. Don't bother putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, leave them laying on the table or in the sink, leave wet towels and bedding strewn about. Food remnants laying around... One group tossed their empty beer and liquor bottles in the pool... Small stuff but somebody has to clean it up. And after that, you can generally expect something less-than-positive reviews from Brits, citing petty things like "unusable" appliances that have dials in a "foreign language" or "nothing around". There was "a spider" or a "lizard" on the terrace. Or the duvets were either too big or too small... or something... But I sense you're not of that mentality. One of those despicable "citizens of nowhere" perhaps?
Morgan WilliamsNo such thing as foreign stuff. Just experiencing the delights of the world. Majorca traditional soup. Soller prawns Jamon Tumbet And Majorca En and other wines Superb Mallorca’s olive oil. On good bread with Mallorca tomato’s And welcoming Majorca hospitality and people. If more tourists experienced the modern cafe in Palma , central bar andriax , Alfonso Sanchez in andriax el pirate Soller and the calafornels wonderful staff. Then maybe the real Mallorca would be appreciated.
David HollandYes, well, you're not really part of the "averse to foreign stuff" lot.
Morgan WilliamsWell I quite like the local EN winery products. This Brits experience.
Marvin Le Martian"These data reveal special American interest in artisan jewellery, glassware, footwear and clothing, especially that with a local mark, such as the Mallorcan roba de llengües. High-end wines also stand out." It doesn't appear that Americans or any of the other increasing visitor nationalities are coming here to have a British experience.
Well all that’s needed is 3million USA visitors to the islands then. And you don’t need the pesky low spending Germans and Brits. Half the visitors same money .. Sorted. Also half the numbers of islanders with work but hey some would say it’s worth it. Also credit card receipts Just returned from 9 days on the island typical retired U.K. couple. Locality owned family run 4* hotel, meals drinks, taxis, snacks. Parted with 4k euros , 1k in cash. Second time this year , same place. For 20 years. With many other repeat visiting Germans and British who do the same.
Entering a restaurant and being ignored while the servers walk past you needs to end.
Mallorcans will have to improve upon their attitudes towards customer service if they want the Americans and Canadians to pay top dollar. They have a much higher expectation than the usual level here.
John GaughanIt's not "more tourists". It's "better tourists". Catering to the bottom feeders didn't work well. Better tourists seek quality rather than quantity, and aren't expecting 5* products at 2* prices. Anyone in tourism knows that those that pay the least tend to be the most costly to accommodate. That's certainly been our experience. So, yes, bring on quality tourists from anywhere. But at the moment, I don't think we need to try too hard. Mallorca has become the chic place to be. Long shall that live.
OMG