Mallorca's hoteliers bet on a longer season — direct flights 2026 bring new momentum

More open doors instead of empty promenades: the industry plans a gentle season shift

On a foggy November morning in Palma, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixes with the salt in the air, a hotelier family on Avenida Joan Miró says: "We won't close as early as in October this year." Such sentences are heard more often these days — not as a political mantra, but as a pragmatic decision. In the market one hears nuances: shopkeepers talking about extended weekends; taxi drivers hoping that rides after a concert will still be paid in November. This is not a big bang, but a quiet reworking of the island's rhythm.

Concrete steps instead of hopes

The proposals are practical: quarter-year contracts for staff instead of half-season terms, weekend packages for local and mainland Spanish guests, and conference rooms that can be booked year-round. Some hotels are planning more local collaborations — for example with winemakers from Binissalem or small manufacturers who regularly offer their products in the hotel lobby. That means more stable jobs, less stress during peak season and guests who want to experience Mallorca without only sun-bed-beach on the agenda.

Direct flights 2026: Palma–Montreal and Palma–Abu Dhabi as game changers

From 2026 two new direct routes are on the table: Palma–Montreal and Palma–Abu Dhabi. That's more than a pretty date in a timetable. Direct flights open markets that until now came via detours: Canadian travelers who shun long journeys could now come in spring and autumn; guests from the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East bring different travel habits and profiles — business trips, family weeks, culinary and cultural offers. At Son Sant Joan airport noticeably more passengers are expected in the transitional months. For hoteliers this means more stable Monday and Tuesday occupancy and new opportunities for events outside the classic summer weeks.

Why this can be good for Mallorca

A longer season brings opportunities beyond simple bed occupancy. Open restaurants mean livelier town centers; cultural programs remain in place, which in turn gives artists and event organizers predictability. For employees this can improve work and quality of life: less extreme seasonal fireworks, more predictable weekends, less season-related departure of young skilled workers. And: visitors who come outside the high season are often interested in the land, people and local products — that is economically more sustainable than pure cheap tourism.

Realistic expectations and small stumbling blocks

Of course not everything is sunshine and roses. Bookings from traditional markets such as Germany and the UK have recently fallen slightly. That is a warning signal, but not a disaster. The answer of many businesses is: diversify instead of wait. New workshops, collaborations with local winemakers and craftsmen, weekend offers for mainland Spaniards or special business packages could help fill the gaps. It's not about turning the whole island from summer into winter, but about a better distribution of tourist activity throughout the year.

Looking ahead: small steps, big impact

When the first direct flights land and on a quiet Tuesday evening the lights are on in a few more hotels, you will notice it in the sound of the city: more voices on the plaça, the muffled clink of wine glasses, perhaps a concert in the cultural center. This is no miracle, but the result of many small things — more flexible employment contracts, bolder programs, collaborations between tourism providers and the local economy. For Mallorca that means more stability, better working conditions and an island that shows itself throughout the year. A gain for locals and guests alike — and that already sounds pretty good in the market, over a glass here and a bite there.