CEO Sebastian Ebel has said this directly to representatives of the Balearic tourism ministry, echoing observations that the tour operator's customers made to it last year. TUI brought a record number of visitors to the Balearics in 2024 - around two million.
The tour operator says it doesn't yet have sufficient information to be able to make solid forecasts for the coming season, but it has noted that families "are finding it increasingly difficult" to pay for their holidays in the Balearics. Ebel has pointed out that these families could opt for cheaper destinations such as Bulgaria, which he has described as a serious alternative for the 2025 season.
The tourism ministry is said to be relaxed about TUI's statements, as price increases reflect efforts by both the private and public sectors to push quality over quantity. Moreover, TUI have themselves called for improvements in quality, so what they are now saying doesn't fit with these demands.
In May last year, Ebel stated that Mallorca and the Balearics had reached their capacity for growth. In this regard TUI were making a similar observation to that of the government - a ceiling had been reached in terms of tourist arrivals.
Prices for accommodation, for eating out and for air travel have all increased in recent years. In Calvia, as an example, hoteliers are said to be concerned that these increases will affect tourism negatively. The mayor, Juan Antonio Amengual, feels this may be a reason why bookings from the UK and Germany are slowing down at the moment. But he remains confident that "demand is so strong that it will end up absorbing the price increases".
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Richard PearsonAs stated as nauseum in all of these "warnings", there are cheaper places, if that's your main search criteria. Nobody is stopping anyone from choosing that. Out of curiosity, what's your excuse? Passport issues?
Morgan WilliamsWhen you say “we”, I presume you are actually referring to the original inhabitants of the islands, unless you have become a Spanish national, and even so………. “Package holiday types”. I stand by my original statement in regards to the snobbery shown in these pages.
Darwin DWe already have an overheated tourism market. I doubt "loosing" a few all-in package holiday types will make much difference. But apparently it's cause for "panic", especially with the package tour operators.
Darwin DWell thats a relief. As for your treatment of clients, shaking them loose before losing them to cheaper places seems a bit violent.
Richard PearsonWell said!!!
I work with big tour operator, contracting, and totally agree. Prices are too high and we loose clients to cheaper destinations.
Us “snobs” will just have to be content at ridiculing and humiliating Richard for his ubiquitous inane postings. Chortle.
Personally, I can’t wait for the so called affluent middle classes to start complaining that Mallorca is too expensive as well.. What will you snobs have to write about then ?
'TUI brought a record number of visitors to the Balearics in 2024 - around two million.' Obviously it's not too expensive then!
It's no surprise that one of the icons of cheap mass tourism would find Mallorca too expensive. But we've had enough of cheap mass tourism, so it may be a blessing in disguise.