The popular Spanish archipelago of the Balearic Islands has received nearly 11.5 million international tourists between January and August, representing a 6.8 percent increase on the same period last year.
According to Turespana, the islands have welcomed nearly 2.5 million tourists in August alone, six percent more than in August 2023.
Such statistics mean that the Balearics are leading the way in Spanish tourism, with 22 percent of August’s visitors.
Palma Airport in Majorca saw 1.7 million international passengers, up six percent, while 477,643 travelled through Ibiza, up by 4.1 percent.
Brits made up 23.6 percent of international arrivals in Spain last month, with an increase of 8.1 percent compared to 2023.
In total, the Balearic and Canary Islands absorbed 49 percent of total British tourists visiting Spain.
According to separate statistics, the Canary Islands had a record-breaking summer in terms of air traffic and passenger numbers, with AENA-managed airports handling over 32 million passengers in August 2024 alone. This is a 4.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Gran Canaria specifically received 1.2 million passengers in August, a 7.8 percent increase, while Tenerife Sur saw a 14.7 percent surge with over one million passengers.
Such statistics will not be welcomed by those residents on the islands who have, over the last few months, been protesting about mass tourism and its impacts on their lives. In April, tens of thousands gathered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to rally against a model of mass tourism they say is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago.
They demanded limits on tourist numbers and a curb on what they described as uncontrolled development harmful to the environment and residents. They held signs that read “Tourist – respect my land!” and “Canaries have a limit”. They also staged a hunger strike.
Locals also said that the influx is pushing up housing prices, making it difficult for them to find affordable long-term accommodation. Some have even been forced to live in cars or tents.