As we approach the end of January, traditionally the month when most British people book their holidays, quite how many have done so for this year compared to last won’t be known for a while yet.

But with the economy in both the US and Europe in recession, holiday destinations are bracing themselves for a dismal summer, as many tourists decide to have a holiday in their own country - or skip holidays altogether for 2009.

Areas that traditionally see a high percentage of their visitors come from the UK could be particularly hard hit, as the British pound has sunk to a new low level against the Euro, and isn’t doing too well against the US dollar either.

Some early suggestions are that Cyprus might lose up to 20 per cent of her British tourists this year, and there are plenty of other holiday islands in Europe which will be watching Britain’s currency closely in the coming months, hoping that it will rise and holiday bookings to those areas with the Euro pick up.

But the Spanish holiday island of Majorca isn’t taking things lying down, and 2009 could see holidays in Majorca be more popular than any other area of Spain again, despite her British visitors getting far less of the local currency than on previous visits to the island.

Majorca has an astonishing hundred years and more tourism experience, and has survived in that time two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, fascist dictatorship as well as town planners to emerge as a holiday island capable of catering for both the cheap getaway to the sun, but also the luxury holidays market in villages like Deia, and has responded well to for the increasing concern from many tourists for the environment.

                                                Majorca

Part of that change for the environment has been responding to what British and German visitors want, as well as cutting down on waste. Majorca has for example opened up quite a few miles of cycle tracks, and local businesses have responded with cycle hire shops dotted around the island.

Wonderful Cap Formentor in Majorca is just one delight awaiting holidaymakers for Majorca this year.

The challenge for Majorca this year is not how best to respond to global warming, or to offset holidaymakers co2 emissions from their flights to Majorca, but simply to get the tourists to visit at all. Majorca’s position as Europe’s number one holiday destination is under threat from Turkey, and further afield Egypt will be taking holidaymakers away too - neither Turkey or Egypt use the Euro for their currency, while Majorca does. The British pound has fallen dramatically against the Euro making holidays in Majorca more expensive for British tourists, while Egypt and Turkey with their own currencies work out better value for Brits abroad.

But Majorca has seen competitors before who have taken away market share from the holidays island, only to see her popularity return. Florida for example became very much in vogue for a while, but the weather in Majorca seemed to pull tourists back after a few years.

But while the Majorca weather can be relied on, what can beat the volatility of the currency markets to attract holidaymakers for 2009? The answer it seems is the return of the package holiday. Many in the travel industry had predicted the end of package holidays - where a holiday includes flights, hotel, breakfast and an evening meal (half board) or lunch too (half board) - due to the ability to book different components of a holiday online, but for British holidaymakers booking a package holiday with companies like Thomas Cook cuts the amount of spending money they need in Majorca dramatically - and makes a holiday in Majorca for 2009 possible after all.

Playa de Muro in Majorca, one of several beautiful beaches awaiting holidaymakers this summer.

Historically for many holidaymakers in the past a week or two in Spain or her islands has meant beaches, clubs and bars, but as holidaymakers become more environmentally aware and wanting more from their holidays, cycling is becoming more popular as a way to see a different part of the country.

Spain and the Balearic Islands are two of the most popular cycling vacation destinations in all of Europe. For tourists who do not wish to travel with their bicycles, rentals are readily available throughout Spain and the islands.

Cycling vacations aren’t new - they are simply rising in popularity. Some cities and small towns throughout Spain offer guided cycling tours from companies that have been in the tourist business for some time and have noticed the increasing trend towards cycling while on holiday by tourists.

Guided tours often include a luggage service that delivers your personal belongings to your next area of interest for those who want more than a morning or afternoon of cycling, and want to go a grand tour with hotel stops en-route.

Alternatively, independent cycling holidays are available for those who wish to tour Spain completely at their leisure and can research routes beforehand.

Cycling offers much more freedom than traditional holidays. Unlike most other forms of travel, cycling is based on a holidaymaker’s whim. Cycling vacations can be from hotel to hotel or village to village. Many villages in remote places are nearly untouched by tourism. Cycling provides an up-close view of the true way of life in these villages. Rolling vineyards, sun-kissed villages and poppy fields are just a few of the visually appealing sights awaiting cyclists.

MP3 Guided Tours

One great tour option available for DIY cycling tourists is the MP3 guided tour. Instructional digital audio is provided, along with maps of the area and its marked trails. Cyclists are free to roam at their own pace while following pre-recorded directions from a trained guide. MP3 guided tours are not recommended for beginning cycling tourists.

A Thousand Miles of Cycle Routes

Spain offers cyclists nearly a thousand miles of cycling routes - small by comparisom with some countries, but on the increase. Routes are being expanded each year to accommodate even more cyclists.

The routes include an array of difficulty levels, but most are flat, very clearly marked and beautifully groomed. Many routes have been created to cover old railway tracks. These unused railway tracks were built flat and stretch many miles across Spain, making them perfect for cycling trails. Mountain trails are also available for the more experienced cycling tourist.

Family cycling vacations are available in nearly every city, town and village in Spain. Popular routes include historical sites, gothic cathedrals, coastal scenery, poppy fields and riverside trails. In Mallorca for example careful route planning and support are available from a variety of locally owned cycle touring companies. Some tours include a back-up vehicle stocked with supplies and emergency equipment, including first aid kits.

Cycling Holidays on Menorca and Mallorca

The Balearic Islands offer a unique experience for family cycling holidays. Residents of the islands are accustomed to tourists, especially in areas surrounding the highly popular resorts. Inland areas of the islands offer a much different view of the island lifestyle.

Open air markets and family owned restaurants await weary travelers in the smaller less touristy villages. Cyclists often enjoy authentic Mediterranean cuisine and locally made wines after a long day on the trail. The Balearic Islands are relatively small, making them great cycling destinations for families or for a first cycling vacation.

Professional Cyclists Train in Spain

During the off-season, professional cyclists can often be found on the trails in Spain or the Balearic Islands. Most locations in Spain and the Balearics offer more than 300 days of sunshine per year, making them perfect for year round training. Cycling trails in Spain and the Balearic Islands provide many miles of scenic landscapes for professionals looking for a change in scenery.

And training in Mallorca certainly paid off for the British Olympics cycling team, who came away from Bejing this summer with more gold medals than any other nation, they obviously found a good number of different routes on their map of Mallorca map!