Else Beekman
The British press is once again taking aim at Mallorca, alleging that the Balearic Islands want UK tourists to ‘stay away.’ This comes weeks after reports suggested that thousands of British travellers were cancelling their holidays because they felt unwelcome.
A new article published by Birmingham Live continues this narrative. Under the sensational headline “UK tourists refusing to listen to two-word plea from Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza“, the piece claims that the Balearic government has urged British travellers to stay away from the islands. However, it does not provide a source to back up this assertion.
Despite these claims, the article highlights that British tourists are not heeding this alleged warning. Instead, it states that bookings to the Balearic Islands from the UK have actually increased by 20% in the past week, marking a 19.7% rise compared to the same period last year.
Strong demand for the Balearics
According to Birmingham Live, the Balearic Islands are currently the fourth most in-demand Spanish destination among British holidaymakers, accounting for 13.4% of total bookings last week. The region trails behind Andalucia (19.7%), Catalonia (16.2%), and the Canary Islands (15.4%).
These figures contradict the notion that British tourists are being discouraged from visiting. On the contrary, the data suggests that the islands remain a highly attractive destination for UK holidaymakers.
Is “tourism-phobia” behind the slight decline in UK visitors?
Tourism data from 2024 does indicate a slight decline in British arrivals to the Balearic Islands, with a drop of just over 3%. However, spending by UK visitors actually increased by more than 3%, reaching €4.375 billion. This suggests that while there may have been fewer British tourists, those who did visit spent more on their trips.
Contrary to the claims made in some British media reports, there is no solid evidence linking this minor decline to “tourism-phobia” or overtourism concerns. Instead, other factors—such as economic slowdown in the UK or the effects of Brexit—may be playing a more significant role in British travel patterns.
A long-standing love affair with the Balearics
The UK remains one of the Balearic Islands’ most important tourism markets, second only to Germany. Debates over mass tourism and sustainability continue following the high tourist numbers in general. Therefore, the suggestion that British tourists are being deliberately driven away appears to be exaggerated.
Also read: The changing profile of British tourists in Spain