The hotel sector in Mallorca and the Balearics says the conflict in the Middle East is having no appreciable effect on tourism, at least where Easter bookings are concerned.
UK media reports of bookings to Mallorca having shot up 40% do not correspond with what the hoteliers are saying. María José Aguiló, the vice-president of the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation, observes that forecasts for the Easter period "remain stable at this time". The federation is expecting occupancy figures very close to those of last year. "Any potential changes will depend, in any case, on the type of product and the specific behaviour of each market."
The federation's assessment, therefore, is that there is neither a significant diversion of tourists from destinations near to the conflict nor a fall in last-minute bookings due to rising fuel prices. The hoteliers federation in Ibiza is of the same view, as is the hoteliers association in Playa de Palma. Its president, Pedro Marín, says: "For the time being, there is no impact: the forecast is the same as in 2025; perhaps a little better, but nowhere near a 40% increase in British tourists." The projected occupancy rate is 80%.
As to hotel companies, Meliá point to a very slight increase, but "with figures almost in line with last year". Riu's analysis is similar. The company anticipates 80% occupancy, noting that there have been some bookings as a result of diversion from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East but adding that in the long run "conflicts tend to reduce travel demand as they are factors of instability".
The holiday rentals sector is also unaffected. The manager of the Habtur association, Maria Gibert, says the projected occupancy rate is 85%, in line with last year and without substantial impact from the current geopolitical situation and the surge in fuel prices.