As if confirmation were actually needed as to the rising cost of staying in hotels in Majorca and the Balearics, the National Statistics Institute has provided it anyway. It reveals that between January and October this year hotel prices increased by 31.7%.
This was the highest increase in the country and by some distance as well. There was a nationwide average rise of 18.3%, but in other main regions of the country the increases were below this average. In Catalonia they went up by 16.5% and in the Madrid region the rise was 12.1%. In Aragon there was a 20% increase, which was the closest any other region got to the Balearics.
At the recent World Travel Market in London, tourism minister Biel Barceló referred to the increased profits being made by hotel groups. This was positive in that the profits have enabled the wage negotiations for the sector to arrive at a 17% increase spread over the next four years. For the government, therefore, increased hotel profits are a good thing so long as they are reflected in the labour market and in working conditions.
The hoteliers justify their increased prices by pointing to raised levels of quality and to the amount of investment that has gone into improving quality. While there is some justification in this, there is also the fact that Balearic prices have reflected the surge in demand created by geopolitical issues in certain parts of the Mediterranean. These issues, as is being stressed on an almost daily basis, are far less serious than they were. Demand is therefore returning to destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.
While the doubling in the summer season rate of the tourist tax has captured most of the attention recently, this increase is in a sense the final straw for some holidaymakers who have been able to make comparisons of prices in different destinations and discovered that they are that much lower elsewhere. Prices in the Balearics have gone up this year and they have gone up for 2018 as well.
For the government, however, the price increases appear to be nothing but positive. As the tourism minister says, there can't be any more growth in summer tourism. The hoteliers, meanwhile, complain that a doubling of the tourist tax could result in the loss of one million tourists in 2018 but make no reference to the fact that their prices might just also be a factor.
11 comments
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Ok Henry from now on we would only the only time we should see your name again is if we check out the Benidorm daily bulletin or whatever exists? No more Henry James on this site as now we know what he thinks of Majorca, not enough "class" for him. Now I know why you constantly whine, you hate the place. Goodbye!
Steve, Your comment smells like bulls**t to me. The old town of Benidorm alone has more class and up-market shops and restaurants than the whole of Majorca.
Thank Gabriel Biel Barcelo and his bank account in Andorra
I have booked a 9 night break in Ca'n Picafort in May and it cost us £420 each for B & B, that was booked in April. If I booked now would be £869 each for the exactly the same holiday. So sadly our second holiday next year is to the Spainish Mainland, which is costing around £400 for Half Board. Neither of the Hotels are 5* they are the run of the mill 4*. I love Majorca. but I will not pay those prices. Sad sad day, but it will be Goodbye Majorca from me in May!
BENIDORM SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO CLASS ? Check this out in calador now , sky in bedroom bathroom livingroom and balcony , full kitchen , view of marina from every window and balcony tumble dryer washing machine ,central heating wifi all free and the Dijous Bo fiesta FANTASTIC £96 with jet2 for myself and my wife
I am currently in Benidorm,where the fiesta ended today with what must be the biggest fancy dress party and parade in the world and I paid £275 for a very nice one bedroom apartment with fantastic sea views and fabulous views of Benidorm that has air con and heating,washing machine,kettle,toaster,cooker,microwave,free UK tv,fantastic bathroom and large living room with glazed in balcony. I do not drink but have had a fantastic eight nights here and there is so much to see and do that I have already booked the same dates for next year. My flight cost me £210 and the fast hopper from Alicante that took only 40 minutes cost me £25 return,
Seriously people don't like to be taken for a ride, expensive hotel rates,tourist tax's,airport queuing and not being welcomed by the locals. This is a recipe for disaster for the island. Majorca is not on our radar for next year after 10 years continuous holidays. I've learnt from other destinations this year as there's a lot more choices.
Why?? People like us who go twice a year will go somewhere else??
Out pricing themselves being going the for might not if they keep raising the price much more
The hoteliers run this island. The poiticians just parade the sidelines.