Iago Negueruela, the Balearic tourism minister, recently said that the "quality" of tourists cannot be defined in terms of how much they spend. Even so, the minister's mantra and that also of the island's tourism sector is one of quality versus quantity. This ratio is undoubtedly one to be qualified by a euro sign and it can lead to somewhat questionable statements, such as those related to April's tourism. Tourist spending by the traditional source markets, like the British, was well up compared with pre-pandemic April 2019. Yes, but inflation had pushed prices up.
The American market now being opened up thanks to United Airlines is viewed as having high added value because of its high purchasing power. A minimum estimate of spend per day per tourist is put at 1,200 euros. To put this in context, the April report for tourist spending referred to a 22% increase compared with 2019 to an average of around 1,000 euros - not per day but per stay.
After the inaugural flight landed in Palma on Friday, United's senior vice president for international networks and alliances, Patrick Quayle, observed that the American market "is very important for a tourist destination like Mallorca because it captures a quality market". For the island, it is said, this means spending on the likes of Michelin-starred restaurants and staying in hotels with an American brand, such as Marriott's Club Son Antem, as well as in Palma's boutique hotels. A room in a boutique hotel costs between 300 and 600 euros a night.
Mallorca's tourism sector looks forward to this market being consolidated and expanded. The signs are that this will happen, United having highlighted the possibilities that arise through its Newark hub - some 90 connections in North America. And while the Council of Mallorca and United have their promotions, so also does the Spanish government's Turespaña, whose marketing reach is "from east coast to west".
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@stan I don't think sny nationality gets any special treatment. Brits expect to because they're special, but they still don't get any different treatment just for being British, and we read about the unfairness of that quite often here. In contrast, Americans actually expect to have to go through passport control when abroad and don't expect to be waived through. Also, America isn't subject to the UK's airport problems, which is the fundamental cause of the delays Brits are moaning about (and blaming on Mallorca).
Marvin.. Like you, I sometimes wonder where some of the spend numbers come from. I don’t think the majority of yanks visiting the island will be coming to spend a week of their precious 10 days annual holidays sitting on a beach drinking beer. So expect the visitors to be more adventurous and well heeled. But if the visitors stay in the boutique hotels American brands and Michelin restaurants. Very little spend will reach normal Mallorca businesses and pay packets. Either way USA citizens expect good value for whatever they buy, they also expect demand really good service. I lived in Cleveland and Seattle for work in the early 90s, even in some quite humble Ma and pa operations the people were friendly, polite and efficient. And the place spotless and clean. Another character of the USA citizen is if the don’t get what they expect they complain and very loudly. Article today in USA network Multiple complaints about yanks being overcharged when holidaying in Europe. Stories of some USA tourists being charged 500 dollars for calamari and a couple of drinks. The bill had mandatory 80 Euro tip and Service charge. My experience of yanks is they don’t mind being mildly taken advantage of but object to being raped
Did these few Americans have to Queue along with all the other Tourists? To get checked by a minimum staffed policia? Or were they given VIP status and Fast Tracked through to their Coach? If they are rich. Then they will be milked of their money. To return with bad stories of Airport Queueing and being ripped off.
It's great that more Americans are showing up, and that they're spending a bit of money (though not much more than anybody else, really) and it does suggest that the more affluent and desirable types are the ones we'll be seeing, but don't go out and buy a Lamborghini yet. The estimate is for about 10000 Americans to arrive this year. Compare that to the millions from everywhere else (we often receive more than 60000 per day from Europe). That should put it in perspective.
“A minimum estimate of spend per day per tourist is put at 1,200 euros” Are you serious? What kind of tourist, American or otherwise spends that, per day? The occasional billionaire perhaps, with a yacht. As ever, it’s all just about greed, and this statement and the article in general suggests nothing more but that. Meanwhile Alcudia is sitting on 90 million Euros and there’s dog mess everywhere. Be sure those high spending Yanks don’t step in that!