Mallorca tourism needs a year-round plan

Mallorca’s transport, housing, water, energy, security, cleaning and infrastructure must be planned for year-round use, not only a short high season, according to Javier Vich. The president of the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation (FEHM) made the call in Palma on Friday, 25 September. He said longer tourism activity, alongside a larger resident and seasonal population, is putting greater demand on services.

Europa Press

Vich told a tourism risk-management event organised by consultancy WTW that pressure on housing, mobility, public services and infrastructure should not automatically be blamed on tourism. Mallorca has also changed through population growth, greater mobility, new forms of accommodation and an economy no longer limited to four or five months.

The event brought together 200 industry professionals to discuss geopolitics, mobility, absenteeism, cyber threats and artificial intelligence.

Hotel prices, Vich said, also need to be seen against rising costs linked to geopolitics, supplies, energy, logistics and inflation. Businesses must keep reviewing their costs, efficiency and market position if they are to remain profitable and competitive.

Naomi Riu, finance and global sustainability director at RIU Hotels & Resorts, said price rises must come with a genuine improvement in what is offered, backed by investment, repositioning, service and quality.

Barceló Hotel Group chief executive Raúl González said the company had cut its planning horizon from five years to three to make its targets more realistic. Juan Carlos Tárraga, WTW’s tourism lead in Spain, said companies must spot changing risks early and turn that foresight into a strategic advantage.

Mallorca tourism: hoteliers demand year-round plan