British holidaymakers have long favoured the hot and sun-drenched beaches of Spain for their summer holidays, but one of the top spots for tourists could become more and more inhospitable to Brits over the coming year, according to local reports.
Sitting off the east coast of Spain, the Balearic Islands have been sizzling under scorching heatwaves this year as temperatures have soared past 40C. This caused the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) to issue multiple special weather warnings while severe heatwaves scorched much of the Iberian Peninsula, including the Balearics.
In 2023, the Balearic Islands were a top pick for British holidaymakers, drawing in 21 percent of the 17,262,287 UK tourists who visited Spain – making it the second favourite Spanish destination after the Canary Islands, which attracted 31 percent. But by the end of the century, the Balearics could become unvisitable in summer.
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The Balearics also saw 27 percent of the total 7,652,441 overnight stays made by Brits in Spain in 2023, following the Canary Islands, which claimed 39 percent, reports the Express.
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However, according to a study by BBVA reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the sweltering heat could lead to a drastic drop in summer visitors to the Balearics – a loss of up to 60 percent by century’s end and an average annual decrease in tourist demand of 27 percent.
Correspondingly, milder seasons like spring and autumn are expected to become more attractive for visitors, with spring predicted to be the go-to season thanks to cooler temperatures.
Areas along Spain’s northern coast, renowned for their jagged shorelines and typically cooler summer temps, are likely to see a surge in summer tourism as travellers may start avoiding the overheated Balearics and southern regions.
Agusti Jansa, who previously served as Aemet’s delegate in the Balearics, commented on the climate situation, saying: “Our region is warming faster than the rest of the planet.”
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With temperatures steadily rising, scientists are predicting increasingly severe weather patterns. Damia Gomis, a professor of earth physics at the University of the Balearic Islands, explained: “In the autumn, water temperatures are higher than we used to have because there is more heat.
“The direct impact is that autumn storms can be stronger because they take moisture from the sea and release it into the atmosphere.”
As the heat intensifies, anti-tourism protests have spread across Spain’s popular destinations, with growing demands for action amid a rise in rental properties and other issues from over-tourism. Yet some optimistically suggest the soaring temperatures may alleviate peak-season pressure.
Experts argue that Spain’s tourism sector should shift focus, promoting travel outside of the traditional holiday season and diversifying attractions beyond just sun, sea, and sand.
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