Mallorca Shines Bright Highest Hotel Occupancy In Spain At 90% Despite Recent Protests

Friday, September 27, 2024

Mallorca continues to shine as one of Spain’s most sought-after tourist destinations, despite recent large-scale protests against overtourism.

In August 2024, the island recorded over 8.5 million overnight hotel stays, the highest of any tourist region in Spain, according to data released by the national government this week. Mallorca also achieved the highest weekend hotel occupancy rate at 90%, showcasing its enduring appeal to travelers.

The island’s growth comes amid ongoing protests addressing the challenges of overtourism. However, nearly 90% of U.S. travelers surveyed reported being unaware of or unconcerned about the demonstrations. A recent survey conducted by Mallorca’s tourism board among 1,000 Americans found that only 11% of respondents had heard of the protests. Of those, 30% indicated they were less likely to consider visiting the island, while 69% stated that the protests had no impact on their travel decisions.

Mallorca’s tourism board is actively working to boost tourism from the U.S. The survey also highlighted that American tourists have a strong interest in nature, local cuisine, responsible travel, and exploring small towns. “This market is very committed to sustainability and seeks out experiences that align with our promotional efforts,” commented Sciacovelli, a representative from the tourism board.

Overall, Spain saw a strong tourism performance in August, with overnight stays reaching 47.8 million, a 2.6% increase from the previous year, marking the highest figure on record, according to the Spanish government. This robust growth reflects the resilience of Spain’s tourism sector despite recent challenges.

Protests against overtourism have also been noted this year in other regions, including the Canary Islands, Malaga, Menorca, and Barcelona, highlighting a broader national conversation about sustainable tourism practices and the need to balance visitor numbers with the preservation of local environments and communities.