Mallorca is facing an autumn that seems promising, at least in terms of tourism figures. After the summer of 2024 was characterized by an unexpected decline in German holidaymakers, many are hoping for a recovery in the coming months. According to Sebastian Ebelthe CEO of TUI, bookings for the fall are already looking promising. The mild temperatures and the diverse cultural offerings are attracting those who want to consciously avoid the summer hustle and bustle.
Autumn as a new favorite season
It is a phenomenon that is increasingly being observed: The low season is becoming more and more attractive. "Many holidaymakers are tired of fighting their way through crowded beaches in the height of summer. They prefer to come in the fall, when the island breathes again," comment various industry experts. In fact, the figures speak for themselves: demand for travel in September and October is rising steadily. It seems as if the fall turns Mallorca into a kind of haven of peace - a contrast to the often hectic summer.
Optimism among the tourism authorities
The island's tourism authorities are also optimistic. They expect tourism in the fall of 2024 to be as strong as in the previous year. The island government has already taken various measures to cope with the influx. These include increased marketing campaigns in key source markets such as Germany, the UK and France. There will also be an increased focus on fall and winter activities to extend the season.
Autumn highlights
Mallorca in autumn offers a variety of activities that are particularly popular with active vacationers and nature lovers. The Serra de Tramuntana invites you to go on long hikes, and cycling tours through the picturesque interior of the island make the heart of every nature lover beat faster. Not forgetting the local markets, which tempt visitors with fresh autumn produce at this time of year. A highlight is the wine festival in Binissalem, which attracts numerous visitors every September who want to enjoy Mallorcan culture and cuisine.
A look back at summer 2024: an unexpected slump
Unusual scenario: in the summer of 2024, the influx of German holidaymakers had surprisingly slowed down. In the first few months of 2024, Germans were still drawn to Mallorca almost like a magnet. The figures from the Spanish statistics institute INE confirm the increase in German holidaymakers on the Balearic Islands: In March, 29 percent more Germans traveled than in the same month last year, in April the increase was 12.6 percent, and in May it was still 9.3 percent more than in the previous year.
Then came June. And with the first summer month came the slump. The Frontur figures show a drop of 1.8 percent. Just over 1.135 million holidaymakers from Germany, even slightly fewer than in April, found their way to the islands. More recent figures are not yet available for this summer, but in July and August there is apparently less German to be heard on the streets of the islands than in previous years. The impression was questioned in the tourism industry to understand whether it is true and what reasons could be behind the decline in German holidaymakers.
Germans now prefer to come in the low season
The impression is not misleading: there are actually fewer Germans staying at Playa de Palma than in previous years. This trend began in June and continued throughout July and August. However, this is not a completely new trend. Previous years have already shown that Germans prefer to come to the island in the low season and again from September onwards.
This trend is also confirmed among vacation rental companies. There is a slight decline in the high season, but there is no cause for concern as this decline is offset by travelers from other countries.
Less noticeable in the hotels
Hoteliers are less aware of the decline in German holidaymakers. As a rule, the number of visitors fluctuates from month to month and a precise assessment will not be made until the fall. Some hotels have seen little change in the number of German guests in recent decades, suggesting that the decline may be affecting more families staying in vacation rentals. Fewer part-time residents or acquaintances may also have visited this year.
The European Championship and the German living room heroes
Another reason for the decline in German holidaymakers is this year's European Football Championship, which took place in Germany. In years like this, many people prefer to go on vacation in their own country to watch the games in beer gardens or on fan miles. Why sweat under the Mallorcan sun when you can enjoy a cool Pilsner in a beer garden at home?
Last but not least, rising prices have also meant that families in particular have had to look for alternative destinations. Flights, accommodation - everything has become more expensive, forcing some to choose other destinations. There are concerns about the coming season, especially if the protests against mass tourism could result in further declines in bookings:
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