Balearic ports are booming

Balearic ports have handled record numbers of passengers this year. Port authority boss Francesc Triay said yesterday that each of the region's five major ports, Palma, Alcudia, Mahón, Ibiza and La Savina, in Formentera, have all reported considerable passenger increases. Ferry passengers traffic has risen by 25 per cent so far this year and the number of cruise passengers has gone up by 17 per cent across the Balearics, 20 per cent in Palma along with a 19 per cent rise in ferry passengers. However, Ibiza has experienced a massive 46 per cent rise in the number of ferry passengers. Triay said that the ferry companies are offering very competitive prices and extra advantages such as being able to take the car. He added it is somewhat ironic that in a year which has seen airline passenger figures fall, maritime passenger figures have reached “record highs.”