To the surprise of absolutely no one, the final figures for 2023 merely indicated what we had known since the October stats were published - last year was a record year for tourism in the Balearics and by a mile. Or rather, by a million; just under 1.3 million tourists. The wait until the year-end figures were released was merely a case of confirming the size of the record. Now we know for sure.
As Mallorca's tourism booms big time, where are the critics?
1.3 million more tourists in the Balearics and there has been barely a murmur
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My sense of it is that the "anti tourism" mantra was less of something the general population really subscribed to (most are benefitting from it in one way or another). It was more a political mantra, grossly exaggerated and misconstrued for political reasons. Aside from a handful of extremists within the junior coalition partners and some who aren't involved in it, nobody really ever claimed to be *against* tourism. Instead, those on the front lines championed the notion of attracting a "quality" tourist over the "quantity" tourists. And both the government and the private sector subscribed to that mantra. But the interpretation was often lost in politics. And frankly, it's beginning to bear fruit. I don't think anybody expected some sort of overnight successes (except those who didn't understand it to begin with). It's not an easy transition to achieve, and there's going to be some pain along the way. It will take decades. And it may actually send many of those tourists seeking quantity to other destinations. But that's what it was supposed to do. It's not as if we're desperate for tourists. A few less won't hurt. We welcome the grown up tourists though. Especially those who spend serious money and behave like adults. The thing is, there may be one serious miscalculation... When what Mallorca has to offer becomes more attractive, it attracts more tourists. And it appears that may be happening. But it's increasingly a bit different demographic. They're increasingly seeking a quality experience rather than a quantity one. And it's increasingly year-round, which helps moderate things a bit. Yet, you're right... nobody's complaining now. And you wonder why?