The ABTA travel association convention in Magaluf ended on Wednesday. A message to emanate from the convention was that the UK tourism industry expects a surge in demand for the coming season, with Spanish destinations continuing to be top of the list for holidaymakers.
Based on an ABTA survey and meetings over the three days, expectations are of a ten per cent increase in tourist numbers to Mallorca in 2026 and to Magaluf especially.
The final balance for 2025 won't be known for some months, but from January to August, UK tourism in Mallorca fell every month except for May and August. The May increase was a healthy nine per cent, August's was below one per cent.
ABTA says that the strong desire to travel is reflected in the way people are prioritising their spending, with holidays being "the last area where they would cut back". While that may be true, is an ABTA confidence regarding growth in 2026 in line with holidaymakers' price sensitivity? This isn't just a factor with the UK, as it has been said of the German market as well. And that has gone into reverse this summer.
A specific issue for UK tourists in 2026 will be the new European entry and exit system. Speaking to the Bulletin ahead of the convention, travel expert Simon Calder said that it "may turn people away to other destinations like Cyprus or Turkey until we get used to the new ID system".