Tourism operators and residents of areas that rely on visitors are anxious about the development of this season. In Mallorca, Spain, and in particular in Magaluf, it is the British who have traditionally been the ones stimulating the local economy. So far no one knows whether Mallorca will be on the British government’s ‘green’ destinations.
“It is very important for the maintenance of my family. Here in Magaluf British tourists are 100% necessary, they are extremely important” says a restaurant owner.
In 2020, the number of British tourists in the region decreased by 82%. If this happens again this year, many businesses will close down.
“There is optimism because we have the right numbers, we have proper measures in place that will allow us to be in the green. And Mallorca is a very important destination for the UK,” says Rosa Ana Morillo Rodriguez, Director of Tourism for the Balearic Islands.
Since the UK government has green-listed Spain, it practically means that quarantine will no longer be required, which will make holidays much easier. Announcements are expected by the end of the week.
Many new flights to Majorca – PMI Palma airport from Germany over the Easter period are rushing to announce airlines operating in the German market, immediately after the government lifted the travel warning announced on Friday.
In particular:
- Condor is starting Easter flights to Mallorca from 8 German airports at the end of March, and is preparing to increase summer flights during the high season. From Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Leipzig, Condor will have up to 4 flights per day. There will also be flights to Mallorca from Berlin, Hannover, Stuttgart and Zurich earlier than previously planned.
- A sudden increase in bookings to Majorca has also been seen by Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings, which has announced 300 extra flights for the Easter holiday. The schedule will increase at Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne/Bonn airports, with the first extra flights starting this week on 18 March. Lufthansa has also announced a significant increase in flights.
- Ryanair has announced 200 additional flights from Germany to Palma de Mallorca and Alicante at Easter. From 28 March to mid-April, almost 40,000 additional seats will be available on 22 routes. Many of the connections will continue to operate for the summer season.
- TUI Fly is also opening the season earlier than planned: on 21 March, the first plane will take off from Hanover, and on the same day there will be flights from Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. TUI’s airline is planning daily flights from four German airports to Mallorca until the summer.
- Sundair is also starting its Easter schedule from March 27 with flights from Berlin. The following day, flights from Düsseldorf and Hannover start the following day and from 3 April from Kassel in the state of Hesse.
- Wizz Air will also start flights from Dortmund to Mallorca on Thursdays and Sundays from 1 April.