CRUISING has taken over as the most popular type of holiday for Balearic residents, something which was unthinkable just a few years ago, when an insignificant number of people opted for them. This is attributed to the fact that the ports of Palma and Ibiza are now popular destinations, where several cruise ships congregate all at once, bringing with them thousands of tourists. Residents opt for cruises around the western Mediterranean and the fjords and the northern tip of Norway in the summer months and the Caribbean in the winter, confirmed Carlos Arlmoguera, spokesman for the Balearic Travel Agency Association (AVIBA). Chile and Argentina are also popular choices in the winter.
What Balearic residents look for in a holiday are, above all, peace and quiet, safety, fun, pleasure and rest. For these reasons when choosing a holiday destination they opt for places which fit these objectives, added Almoguera, who has 30 years experience in the travel industry. The busiest cruise times are just before the Easter week, throughout June and in September.
According to the spokesperson from AVIBA, the Balearic tourists are considered demanding by the different destinations they visit, and this is probably because the islanders know exactly what a tourist resort should and should not offer. A very common trait of the Balearic tourists is to wait until the last possible moment before buying travel tickets or holiday packages, so that they get the best price available, which does not always happen, said Almoguera.
Cruising is now the most popular type of holiday
BALEARIC RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT THEY WANT FROM A RESORT