Holiday in Spain: Holidays to Balearic Islands slashed in price to entice last-minute tourists after slump in bookings

The Balearic Islands saw a slump in holiday bookings towards the end of August which has led some businesses to reduce their prices and offer special deals. Mallorca, once a top budget-friendly choice for Brits, fell to 24th place in the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer.

The Balearic Islands also reported a 10% decrease in British tourism in July. Across 2023 just shy of four million Brits visited the islands, suggesting the July slump meant tens of thousands fewer UK travellers will have headed to the Balearics. Meanwhile, Germany, Spain's other major tourism market besides the UK, saw a 12% increase during the same period.

In response to the downturn, car hire rates and sea transport to and from mainland Spain have been reduced by 20% in Menorca, while holiday home rental firms are offering discounts of up to 40% for September, reports the Majorca Daily Bulletin. In Ibiza, luxury hotels are rolling out promotions and discounts of up to 30% in an effort to fill their numerous vacancies. 

The slump comes after months of negative headlines about anti-tourist sentiments on the holiday hotspots. A demonstration was held on August 21, one of many, where over 500 people gathered in Menorca. Protestors held signs arguing that properties were being used for foreign visitors instead of locals.

In May, thousand protesters took to the streets in Ibiza rallying against the surge in mass tourism and the influx of British holidaymakers. Messages on placards and posters read: "We don't want an island of cement" and "Tourism, yes but not like this".