Spanish swarm in on the Balearics for Easter

Staff Reporter MAJORCA and Minorca are among the most popular holiday destinations this Easter for passengers flying out of Barcelona's El Prat airport. More than 350'000 people were scheduled to use Catalonia's principal air traffic hub from last Thursday, 8 April, until this coming Tuesday to enjoy a “get away from it all” break in the Balearics. The Spanish airports authority (AENA), confirm that these figures indicate a 6.5 percent increase in the number of passengers recorded for the same period in 2003. The most sought-after national destinations were Mahón, Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Meanwhile, on the Balearic Islands, many Majorcans have chosen the Llevant and Migjorn coastal areas as locations for the Easter break, taking advantage of a wide variety of hotel offers. The influx of visitors will mean that occupancy rates for tourist accommodation centres will register t 75 percent on average. However, as of Tuesday next week, change is on the horizon as occupancy rates are due to plummet as low as 30 percent. In Colonia de Sant Jordi, where 70 percent of hotels are open, occupation levels currently stand at 80 percent. “There are some German tourists but Majorcans predominate” said Gaspar Guasp, Managing Director of the area hoteliers' association. In Porto Colom, area director, Joan Esteva explained that only 25 percent of hotels were open for business on that part of the East coast but their average occupancy rate was 75 percent. A short further down the coast in Cala D'Or, Maties-Barceló commented that “German tourism is picking up” with average hotel occupancy at 65 percent. Away to the north-east, Cala Millor reports 80 percent of its hotels doing business this Easter. Although hotels are registering 65 percent full, many visitors have been attracted by special offers. The tourist industry in Platja de Muro confirm that with occupancy standing at 69 percent, many Spaniards are spending Easter in its hotels boosted by an importance presence of both British and German visitors. Platja de Muro is not only a haven for “sun, sea and sand” tourists; sporting enthusiasts too are keen to take advantage of the golf and cycling facilities that the resort offers. British tourists have once again homed in on Pollensa and Alcudia in the north of the Island for their holiday break. Hotels in the area (40 percent now open) are reporting average occupancy of 60 percent.