Minister Sees Decline in German Guests Calmly — Diversification as an Opportunity

Fewer German tourists: No catastrophe, says the minister

In Palma, the reaction on Tuesday sounded surprisingly calm. The Balearic tourism minister said the reduced arrivals from Germany were not a warning signal for the islands. Instead he sees an opportunity: more guests from France, Italy and Switzerland would make up for the loss — in short: a broader customer base is an advantage.

You could hear it on the Passeig, in small cafés in La Lonja and at the market hall: conversations about prices, flights and protests. Some restaurateurs are tense, others optimistic. The minister pointed to figures from other destinations: the Canary Islands had recorded significantly larger booking increases from Germany in the low season, while here the available seats had fallen by around ten percent.

Prices as main cause — say the experts

One point almost everyone agrees on: the increased costs. Many families, but also budget travelers, now compare more carefully. Egypt or Turkey are attractive again for some because money goes further there. You can feel it in the market, says a travel agency owner in Santa Catalina: "People are suddenly calculating differently."

At the same time there are voices that do not want to completely rule out the anti-tourism demonstrations as a factor. Representatives from civil society who took part in protests warn, however, against drawing premature conclusions. And the German Consul General in Mallorca put the impact into perspective in media reports: conversations are noticeable, in his impression, but they do not alone explain the decline.

Opposition and industry representatives remain skeptical

On the opposite side, opposition politicians criticize the government: too little courage and too many excuses. The head of a local travel agency association spoke of tougher times, especially for Palma, where many businesses are already operating at the pain threshold. Some hoteliers say they have already noticed a shift in bookings and now have to plan more flexibly.

What remains: Mallorca is in motion. In November the streets are cooler, but cafés are still full at the weekend. The debate about prices, flight connections and the role of protests will probably accompany us for a while. Whether the island ultimately benefits from a more diversified guest structure or suffers from it also depends on decisions made locally — in town halls, by airlines and by individual businesses.

Conclusion: No clear picture, but clear indications: prices are pressing, capacities are changing and the tourist composition is shifting. For some this is an opportunity. For others a warning sign.