The tourism minister of Ibiza has acknowledged that a large number of British tourists opted to avoid visiting the island this summer.
In the previous year, Spain encountered protests against overtourism in major holiday spots as locals voiced their discontent during a record-breaking period that saw 94 million tourists arriving in Spain in 2024. International visitors spent approximately €126.3 billion in Spain in 2024, marking a 16.1% surge from the previous year, according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism.
Despite the financial benefits, the strain caused by the large influx of visitors on housing, public infrastructure, and the traditional way of life in Spain is deemed unacceptable by many. Consequently, a significant number of individuals took to the streets last year to express their concerns.
During the World Travel Market (WTM) in London this week, Jaume Bauza, Ibiza’s Minister of Tourism, discussed the potential impact of the protests on tourist numbers, revealing that 20,000 fewer British tourists chose to visit the Balearic island during the peak season this year compared to 2020.
However, the tourism authorities of the island are optimistic that many British visitors have rescheduled their trips for October and November, periods with milder temperatures and lower risks of protest disruptions. Flight capacity to the Balearic Islands has increased by 8% this November compared to 2024 in anticipation of more visitors during the shoulder seasons.
When asked if concerns about being caught up in overtourism protests deterred people from traveling, Mr. Bauza stated through an interpreter that any decline in attendance from major markets like the UK is a cause for concern. He mentioned that the decrease in British tourists had been balanced by an increase from French, Swiss, and Italian markets, maintaining a comparable level to the previous season. Mr. Bauza emphasized the importance of being attentive to decreases in major markets but expressed a lack of worry regarding the protests.
Over the past year, Ibiza has signaled a shift towards attracting high-end, high-spending tourists. At the WTM, Mr. Bauza outlined plans to crack down on illegal holiday rentals and monitor the impact of tourism on the island’s natural environment.
Expressing a desire for British visitors to be informed and engaged in the transformation process, the tourism chief stated that the focus is on preserving existing resources and ensuring a top-quality experience for visitors while maintaining local pride.
Pedro Homar, the managing director of the Palma Tourism Board, highlighted that visitor numbers to the capital of Majorca remained strong during the summer, with British tourists being a key nationality. He emphasized the city’s welcoming stance towards UK visitors and the aim to attract more British tourists in the future.
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