German tourism in Mallorca, which had been growing on average by ten per cent month after month since the start of 2024, suddenly went into reverse in May and June. Speaking about the current tourism situation, Norbert Fiebig, the president of Germany's DRV travel association, says: "We don't see a real threat to traditional tourism in the Balearics. Confidence in Mallorca as a safe and popular destination remains intact. This is demonstrated by reservations."
In Germany, as elsewhere, the protests have been publicised. Fiebig is of the view that "these are mainly due to the lack of affordable housing". "They are primarily directed against the sale of properties to foreign investors, which exacerbates the housing shortage and leads to increasingly high, sometimes unaffordable, rents for residents.
"This has little to do with regulated tourism in hotels; rather, it's about deeper structural problems." What is clear is that tourism is and will continue to be a driver of economic development, employment, prosperity, and cultural exchange. The challenge lies in finding the right balance - between economic benefit and social acceptance.
"The vast majority of Mallorcans have a positive attitude towards tourism and warmly welcome visitors. In the Balearics, more than 50% of the population depend directly or indirectly on tourism. Isolated actions, amplified by the media, that oppose tourism on the island certainly do not benefit Mallorca's image."
Commenting on the restaurant sector's complaints about lack of customers and spending and on customer complaints about high prices, Fiebig argues that "despite the general economic challenges, the desire for a vacation remains a priority for German consumers; they want to travel, and they do".
"German tourists are very price-sensitive. If a destination is perceived as too expensive, they consider alternatives to more attractive destinations in terms of price. This year, for example, we see that traditionally cheaper destinations such as Tunisia, Bulgaria, and Egypt are being booked more, especially in the summer. We are also seeing reductions in destination spending, such as on excursions or restaurants, when budgets are tight.
"The three most popular destinations for package holidays this summer continue to be Spain, Turkey, and Greece. And in the case of Spain, Mallorca plays a prominent role. However, many people's disposable incomes are declining. With this, there is a growing interest in more affordable vacations."