The Balearic Islands are no longer just popular with Germans and English. There are even direct flights to Mallorca from New York. Culture, history and good food lure people to the islands. Holidaymakers feel the boom in price.
There are currently three direct flights a week from New York to Palma de Mallorca. The flight with United Airlines takes about eight hours, and the seats are obviously well booked: Anyone who still wants to fly on Sunday pays more than 2,300 euros for a return ticket.
“Culture, history, good food” is often the answer when Americans are asked what draws them to the Mediterranean island. Conversely, it is, among other things, the long unfavorable euro-dollar exchange rate that has kept European tourists from flying west, for example to the Caribbean, this summer. “Many long-haul guests change direction, and then destinations like the Balearic or Canary Islands come first,” says TUI spokesman Aage Dünhaupt.
Two star accommodation for 185 euros a night
The Balearic islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera also attract many guests from the Iberian mainland. The Spanish Association of Travel Agencies (ACAVE) has observed a 15 percent increase in bookings compared to the previous year. Spaniards are ready to do without a lot this year. “But the holidays are sacred to them,” the EFE news agency quoted association president Jordi Marti as saying. The Balearic Islands are among the most popular destinations for Spaniards in their own country this year.
However, the Balearic boom has its price. An example: Anyone who is single these days and is looking for accommodation for the coming week in Ibiza on a well-known booking portal will be offered a three-star hotel for 131 euros per night with breakfast as the cheapest offer. On the small neighboring island of Formentera, the cheapest offer for a two-star hostel is 185 euros per night.
The industry service Hosteltur reports increased prices across Spain – the second most popular travel destination for Germans abroad after Italy. Already at Easter, trips were 22 percent more expensive than in 2022. Over the bridging days in May, the price increase was even 25 percent. Travel to Portugal, Tunisia or Turkey is cheaper. Spain must be careful not to lose any tourists to other countries, some holiday experts are already warning.
Heading to the “Miami Beach of Europe”?
Class instead of mass – on Mallorca, on the other hand, many should welcome this trend. The aim of the islands is to expand tourism throughout the year and to accommodate fewer guests in the summer months. Not the number of vacationers should be increased, but the turnover. On the Playa de Palma, some restaurateurs and hoteliers dream of becoming the “Miami Beach of Europe”. This is matched by rising prices, a noticeable number of private jets landing in Mallorca and direct flights from New York.
If you are looking for a hotel in Playa de Palma for the coming week, you will get offers for a single room between 100 euros (three stars, not on the beach) and 580 euros (five stars, directly on the beach promenade) per night.
Also last minute no super bargains
During the pandemic, many vacationers have gotten used to making late decisions about when to go where. “But the equation: last minute is a super bargain will not work out this year because too much has already been booked,” says TUI spokesman Dünhaupt. “And meanwhile, both hoteliers and airlines have become smarter. There is always someone who wants a trip, who books a hotel, at the last meter.”
Supply and Demand – Tour operators and hoteliers are on the winning side of this ongoing game this summer, as are many airlines. According to the comparison portal Idealo, flights to Spain are around 25 percent more expensive this summer than last year.
Source : Tagesschau
