Palma in Mallorca
The latest reports from the travel and holidays industry shows that the number of holidaymakers visiting Spain this year rose three per cent over the 2007 figure, with over 40 million visitors in the first nine months of the year.
With the recession in full swing in Spain’s two main markets, Germany and the UK, the chances are that tourist numbers will drop in the year ahead.
Some locations in Spain, like the Canaries, are great year-round holiday destinations. Winter temperatures are very nice compared to the snow-covered places in the world and a very welcome change for tourists who enjoy warmer climes. The main Canary Islands are Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Catalonia is Spain’s Number One Destination
Catalonia is located in the northeast corner of Spain, and it has provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Each province atrracts holidaymakers for different reasons - Barcelona for example often attracts beach goers and sightseers. Barcelona is home to some of the most impressive architecture in the world. A walk through the streets of Barcelona is a history lesson in itself. Be careful of pickpockets though as crime is soaring in Barcelona, leave your valuables in one of the hotel safes - nearly all hotels in Barcelona have safes in the rooms.
Catalonia’s nearest neighbours are France and Andorra to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. Paris is also a very popular European tourist destination with millions of tourists per year.
Andorra is one of the most popular ski areas in the world and is quickly becoming a year-round vacation spot for extreme sports fans.
The Balearic Islands are situated south of Catalonia in the Mediterranean Sea and rank number two in Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Balearic Islands Tourism Hotter than Ever
As the second most popular vacation destination in Spain, the Balearic Islands welcomed over seven million tourists during the first nine months of 2008. The Balearics are comprised of four large islands: Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The capital city of Mallorca is Palma, also called Palma de Majorca. Each of the Balearic Islands offers a new, exciting experience to all who visit.
Package tourism officially began in Mallorca in May 1952. Prior to 1952, doctors from the northern European countries would send patients to the islands to unwind, de-stress and keep warm during the winter months and enjoy the Mallorca weather
A good, long holiday away from the stress of everyday life was quite literally ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ Since the introduction of mass tourism, Mallorca has grown in popularity with beach lovers around the world.
The Balearics Appeal to Families
Mass tourism opened the floodgates for less expensive travel opportunities and great deals. In recent years, budget airlines have boosted tourism to an all time high. Several European based airlines offer low fares in effort to gain more business. In the actual swing of things, these airlines opened a plethora of holiday possibilities for Europeans and tourists from around the world. Some famous families who call Mallorca home include Catherine Zeta-Jones and husband Michael Douglas, Claudia Schiffer, Julian Lennon and former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England footballer Steve McManaman.
Many of the resorts on the islands offer great opportunities for children, teens and parents. Children’s activities and teen clubhouses give mum and dad time to relax and enjoy time together.
The variety of resorts in Mallorca and Menorca allows families to choose the best location for their specific needs. Some areas have a very vivid nightlife, while others may have an almost non-existent nightlife, Menorca is good for a family holiday, while Mallorca is more busy and a bigger island destination.
