Majorca Faces Decline in Package Holidays Amid Anti-Tourism Protests

The island of Majorca is experiencing a noticeable drop in demand for package holidays, a trend partly attributed to changing tourist preferences and anti-tourism demonstrations earlier this year.

Package holidays, traditionally offering convenience with fixed prices that include travel, accommodation, and sometimes meals, are losing their appeal. Operators are reporting a steady decline in bookings, as visitors seem to opt for other travel experiences.

Increasingly, tourists are favoring shorter coach trips, often designed to visit multiple sites within a few days. According to the Balearic Transport Federation, the fleet of smaller coaches on the islands has grown by 15% in the last five years, while larger coaches are being gradually retired due to reduced demand.

Petra Mut, manager of the Balearic Transport Federation, noted a shift in tourist behavior: “The average stay of tourists has decreased to just six days. Although stays are shorter, the number of visitors has risen significantly, impacting transportation needs and increasing demand for hire cars.”

This decline in package holiday bookings comes as Majorca faces mounting challenges, including recent warnings from the European Commission. The EU has criticized the island's coastal business concessions for allegedly violating transparency regulations required for the use of public land.

As the tourism landscape evolves, Majorca must adapt to changing preferences while addressing the impact of anti-tourism sentiments and regulatory pressures.