Balearic Islands report successful shift in visitors to off-peak season

The Balearic Islands have reported a shift in visitors to off-peak times of year as a result of their ‘de-seasonalisation’ strategy.

Speaking at World Travel Market, Marga Prohens, president of the Balearic Islands, said the focus on the destination’s culture had helped to change the months when tourists visited the islands this year.

During the peak summer months the islands recorded a minimal increase in visitor numbers of 0.8% in July and 1.8% in August year on year while the number of travellers arriving in the shoulder and low seasons has continued to rise, extending the length of the traditional summer season.

The UK market saw a slight decrease of 1% year on year in August while scheduled flights from the UK to the Balearics were up by 1.6% in October and grew 8% year on year in November and December. The destination said “in practical terms” this showed that around 20,000 British visitors who previously visited between January and August were not choosing to visit between October and December. 

These are projected figures based on flight booking data for the coming months which have been analysed with actual visitor statistics from this year and last year.

Prohens said: “For the first time in years, we are experiencing several consecutive months in which the human pressure index [impact of human activities on the natural environment] is decreasing, contributing to a better experience for our visitors and greater well-being for our residents. Furthermore, we are growing more in value than in volume.”

Prohens also said data showed the islands were attracting higher-value tourism. With every 2.4% increase in visitor numbers in August, tourist spend rose by 5.6%.

The shift reflects the destination’s aims as part of a broader tourism strategy towards sustainability and well-being, which includes a focus on zero growth in accommodation capacity, tackling illegal accommodation supply and modernising the tourism offer across its islands Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Prohens added: “We want British visitors, who are and always will be very welcome in our islands, to be aware of this transformation process, to understand its purpose, and to be part of the changes we are implementing. We also want to count on the collaboration of UK tourism professionals.”

The Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture for the Balearic Islands also told the briefing that funds from the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS) were being allocated to help strengthen the region’s new Tourism Containment Decree, which sets clear limits on growth, and aims to stop the use of illegal accommodation.

Funds have also been used to pay for the restoration of historic sites such as Can Serra and Son Boter and for environmental projects.