Palma 'remains optimistic' for UK tourism rebound this autumn

Quarantine measures were announced for travellers arriving into the UK from mainland Spain on 25 July – swiftly extended to those coming from its islands on 27 July.

Pedro Homar said he felt “confident” UK tourism will bounce back, following a rising trend for autumn and winter visits by Brits to the Balearic capital over the last few years.

From October 2019 to February 2020, Palma (and the nearby resort of Playa de Palma) welcomed a 14.2% increase in British visitors compared to the same period the previous winter.

In October 2019, UK arrivals were up 13.6% year-on-year, while November 2019 saw UK arrivals jump by 44% compared to November 2018. December was up 5% year-on-year.

The number of room nights booked by UK visitors between October 2019 and February 2020 increased by 7.4% compared to the previous winter, with that figure significantly smaller than the growth in UK visitors for the same period - indicating shorter stays or an increase in those staying with family or friends during the winter season.