Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination appears to be waning, with recent data revealing a significant drop in bookings. According to TravelgateX, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca) have seen a mere 0.7 per cent increase in bookings over the past week compared to the previous period.
However, they are still up by 22.5 per cent compared to this time last year.
This comes in the wake of Storm Jana, which has brought heavy rain and hail to the usually sunny hotspot. Even the typically warm Canary Islands haven’t been an option for sun-seekers recently, due to a series of flash floods and thunderstorms.
Rising anti-tourist sentiment and planned protests could also be contributing to the stagnant figures. More Brits are choosing to holiday in destinations like Turkey, which is welcoming tourists with open arms.
TravelgateX’s findings also revealed that the Balearics were only the fourth most popular Spanish destination over the past week, falling behind the Canary Islands, Andalusia, and Catalonia. Spanish travellers made up the majority of bookings, accounting for 50.9 per cent, while Brits came in second at 23.1 per cent, significantly outnumbering German (3.7 per cent) and American (2.9 per cent) holidaymakers, reports the Mirror.
Last year, Majorca was the scene of protests as locals, frustrated with the impact of tourism on their island, took to the streets. They carried banners with slogans such as ‘Let’s change course and set limits on tourism’, ‘Your luxury, our misery’, ‘Stop destroying Mallorca’, and ‘This isn’t tourism-phobia, it’s numbers: 1,232,014 residents, 18 million tourists’.
Just last month, an iconic Osborne bull in Majorca was defaced by a disgruntled resident who scrawled ‘Rich foreign property buyers go to hell’ in bright red paint.
According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, more anti-tourist protests are being planned. The local press reports that the movement Menys Turisme, Més Vida (less tourism, more life) is organising a meeting to ‘regroup and redouble efforts’ in anticipation of the upcoming peak tourist season.
This comes as the government launches a campaign to attract even more tourists to the island.
Despite the apparent hostility, British expat Sandra Laurie has reassured tourists that they are still welcome in Spain and should not be deterred from visiting. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, the 38-year-old, who has lived in Costa Del Sol since 2016, suggested that most of the protests are driven by landlord greed rather than resentment towards holidaymakers.
“This issue does not impact tourism directly, and in fact, Spain relies heavily on visitors to support the economy,” she clarified.
“Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world. If you have a trip planned-don’t let the headlines deter you.
“The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer.”