Are there celebrations for record seasons in Mallorca and the Balearics any longer? In terms of tourist numbers, they are more matters for concern, great concern because of overcrowding and the stresses that human pressure brings to the islands.
In 2023, the total number of tourists increased by a staggering 1.3 million to 17.8 million. In 2024, it is not inconceivable that this total could increase by a further two million - touching 20 million, twice as many as at the start of the century.
It doesn't follow that data for the first quarter will be repeated in other quarters, but they are an indication. The Balearic Statistics Institute reported a 17% increase in tourist arrivals between January and March this year.
An indication, but the national tourism agency, Turespaña points to a 14% rise for the whole of Spain in May, and the Balearics have assumed national leadership when it comes to the greatest percentage contribution from May to October, a status that Catalonia once had. The Mallorca Hoteliers Federation is forecasting a 15% increase in reservations for high summer. When figures for programmed airline seats are also taken into account, 20 million doesn't sound so outlandish.
Climent Picornell, professor emeritus of geography at the University of the Balearic Islands, has made his own calculations - growth of between 15% and 18%. As well as the forecasts from various sources, he says that the number of illegal accommodation places have to be added. "These have multiplied exponentially in recent years. They have done so in both the holiday rental sector and the hotel sector with overoccupancy and undeclared rooms."
A further factor, it might be noted, is that length of stay has fallen. This was by around one day in 2023. While it might not sound a lot, it does point to greater turnover of guests. Hotel occupancy hasn't changed. For August, as an example and according to the Balearic Statistics Institute, this was 90% last year, as it was in 2022, 2019 and 2018.
For Picornell, the fact that a Partido Popular government is talking about containing tourism growth for the first time is "a very important turning point", caused by congestion on the roads that this year started very early - "much earlier than in previous years".
Picornell accepts that tourist overcrowding isn't a problem that is confined to Mallorca, to the Balearics or to other regions of Spain; it is a global phenomenon. "It's happening all over the world." He believes that attempting to limit port and airport arrivals are "utopian proposals". "The only way that Mallorca and the Balearic Islands can act is by limiting the number of tourist accommodation places."
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SammiOutside of the most popular resorts, it sure doesn't seem to be critically overcrowded. Yes, plenty busy, but not to a degree that is causing uncontrollable problems. Traffic is heavy, but it's not all hire cars. I sense a lot of this is exaggeration. There doesn't seem to be much sensibility about it. Just anti-tourism for the sake of having something to yell about. And no, it's not just Germans that dominate. The vast majority of tourism here isn't British.
So stays are shorter but numbers are up. Then surely the metric to measure is actual occupancy. Doubt that’ll be very accurate. We could have 40 million staying only 2 nights but would equate to normal occupancy. Bamboozelling readers with cherry picked numbers is the job of various politicos. Your job, MDB , is not to just report these befuddling statistics but to analyse and relate them clearly to your readership.
Sammi'..cyclists which slow the flow of cars..' what has that got to do with anything, cycling tourism starts and ends the season in Pollensa and Alcudia, outside the 'family holiday' period
Yes is the answer to that headline.
I understand that Mallorca is overrun by cars and alot due to tourism. Would it not be more effective to limit the number of cars? Also at the moment in Cala en Porter is dead. So tourism isn´t necessarily out of control everywhere in the Balearics it´s just certain areas. Control the cars, maybe some of the cyclists too which slow the flow of cars. Don´t blame one particular matter or the fact that UK are indicating that Mallorca is overrun by Brits when in fact there are more German holiday makers than Brits. Just saying
While the governing bodies on the island continue to be controlled and influenced by major hotel groups there will be no change. Corruption is rife and amazingly people continue to accept the status quo. The island has reached tipping point but nothing is done, corruption rules the island.
The last sentence should read - "The only way that Mallorca and the Balearic Islands can act is by limiting the number of tourist accommodation places whilst at the same time introducing price/rent control on housing in designated areas to ensure housing for those who do the work.