Speaking at WTM London on Tuesday (4 November), Marga Prohens, the president of the Balearic Islands, said pressure on the islands' resources and infrastructure had reduced during July and August.
During the summer, the islands recorded only a minimal year-on-year increase in visitors – 0.8% in July and 1.8% in August – while the number of travellers in the shoulder or low seasons continues to grow.
The de-seasonalisation strategy, underpinned by an emphasis on the islands' cultural offering, has proven effective throughout 2025, Prohens insisted.
“For the first time in years, we are experiencing several consecutive months in which the human pressure index is decreasing, contributing to a better experience for our visitors and greater well-being for our residents," she said. "Furthermore, we are growing more in value than in volume.”
Prohens shared data highlighting how for every 2.4% increase in visitor numbers in August, tourist spending had risen by 5.6%.
The UK registered 2.5 million visitors in August – down 1% from the previous year – contrasting with a 1.6% increase in scheduled flights arriving from the UK to the Balearics in October and 8% year-on-year growth in visits during November and December.
In practical terms, the Balearics says some 20,000 British visitors who previously travelled between January and August are now visiting between October and December, signalling a shift toward a more balanced annual distribution of arrivals.
Prohens concluded with an invitation to British travellers, saying: "We want British visitors, who are and always will be very welcome in our islands, to be aware of this transformation process, to understand its purpose, and to be part of the changes we are implementing. We also want to count on the collaboration of UK tourism professionals.
"I invite you to discover Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera in a new way and to be part of the transformation of our islands towards sustainability and collective wellbeing.”
'We'll put an end to illegal holiday lets'
At the briefing, Jaume Bauza, the minister of tourism, sport and culture of the Balearic Islands, revealed €20 million from the destination's Sustainable Tourism Tax had been allocated to funding the islands' "high-quality tourism model", the Tourism Containment Decree.
The decree sets clear limits on growth, promoting excellence and reinforces the fight against illegal accommodation offerings across all four islands.
Bauza confirmed 6,000 illegal accommodation listings had been removed from digital platforms such as AirBnB. "I wish to reiterate our commitment to put an end all illegal holiday listings," he said.
"The Balearic Islands have said 'enough' to the illegal supply, that which contributes nothing, pays no taxes and disrupts people's lives."
