Balearics see huge leap in UK visitors
The Balearic Islands saw a 20% increase in UK visitors during May compared with the same month last year.
UK visitors to Mallorca were up by 17.6% year on year, while Menorca saw almost a 24% increase. Numbers to Ibiza and Formentera combined were up by almost 25%.
From January to May 2017, a total of 818,802 UK tourists visited the Balearic Islands, a 9.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
The Balearic Islands Tourism Board said the increase during this period was in line with its new tourism strategy of attract more visitors all year round.
"The ‘Better in Winter’ strategy places emphasis on the advantages of travelling to the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) at a quieter, more authentic time of year and promotes the region as more than just a sea and sun destination," it said.
The islands are also undoubtedly benefiting from the travel ban on other popular winter sun destinations, including Tunisia, the ban on flights to Sharm el Sheikh, and the withdrawal of capacity to Turkey.
Britons accounted for 28% of the 1.9 million visitors to the Balearics in May, making the UK the second biggest market behind Germany.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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