Cyclists in Mallorca. | Teresa Ayuga

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Mallorca is the main destination in the Mediterranean for cyclists and tour operators who specialise in active tourism have already scheduled flights to Palma from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands to coincide with the start of the cycle tourism campaign in the mid-September.

By November 15, more than 20,000 European cyclists will arrive in Mallorca and tour operators, Max Hürzeler Bicycle Holidays and Diana Sportreisen are glad to be back in business after being paralysed for more than a year and a half because of the pandemic.

“Cycle tourism is back and it will benefit hotels in the area which have launched services to accommodate cyclists. The fact that European cycling tourism is back on track in Mallorca is very positive,” said Playa de Palma Hotel Association President, Isabel Vidal.

The relaunch of cycling tourism will also benefit hotels in Playa de Muro, Alcúdia-Can Picafort, Cala Serena and Artà.

TUI Fly, Eurowings and Condor, Easyjet, Ryanair and Lufthansa are all promoting active tourism.

“Hotels involved in this segment of active tourism have installed workshops, storage areas and training gyms and they also offer special menus for athletes,” said FEHM Executive Vice President, María José Aguiló.

Prior to March 2020, there were 200 establishments in Mallorca that were specifically designed for cyclists.

Tour operators and hoteliers are determined to recover the level of activity seen before the pandemic, when more than 200,000 cyclists arrived on the island in eight months, generating a turnover of more than 300 million euros.

“We are an active tourism destination and we advocate for all seasonally-adjusted products, in which cycle tourism occupies a predominant place in the low and mid-season months,” said Tourism Councillor, Andreu Serra. “Mallorca has everything for the sport, hence the promotional efforts by the Consell at specialist fairs in Europe to capture the largest share of the active tourism market throughout the year.”

Hoteliers are committed to active tourism, which complements their business activity and increases occupancy by more than 30% in the low and mid-season and several hotel chains have adapted their accommodation to attract cyclists.

“The objective is to be able to recover this segment of the tourist market between this winter and the next," said FEHM.