This summer was “better than expected” for tourism to the Balearics, according to the islands’ director general of tourism, Rosana Morillo.
“The fact that we were the first destination in the Mediterranean that got the green light from the government, helped us to be the first also in starting the recovery,” she said.
“I think the British market has shown that they are still loyal to the Balearic Islands and that they can enjoy holidays there in a safe way, so we are pretty happy about this.”
Speaking at World Travel Market, Morillo added that the fallout from the Covid pandemic meant people will be looking for a more personalised tourism experience, which gives the islands the chance to showcase their diversity.
Sustainability also remains a focus, Morillo said, lauding the success of a tourist tax implemented in 2016 which helps to fund projects across the islands
“We think there’s only one path to the future and it’s the sustainability path,” she said. “Because we are islands and it’s a fragile territory, we really, really need to protect the environment.”
Morillo said tourism can be a force for good in terms of looking after the islands’ natural environments. “We want to inform people about the issues that we have and all the measures that we are putting in place to preserve and conserve the environment, so people feel that coming to the islands is not damaging the islands, but protecting them.”
Morillo concluded that capacity for the coming winter was looking strong, with connectivity at 82% of 2019 levels.