A popular Spanish island frequented by British tourists is making arrangements to limit the influx of visitors during the peak summer months.
As part of the new plan, the picturesque city of Palma in Mallorca will reduce the daily number of available cruise ship berths from 8,500 to 7,500 between June and September starting from 2027 through 2029. This adjustment will result in fewer passengers disembarking to explore the Spanish city during this period.
Although the number of ship berths will revert to 8,500 outside the summer season, the reduction of 1,000 berths during the busy summer months will impact holidaymakers arriving in Palma via cruise ships. Last year, over 19 million British tourists traveled to Spain, with Mallorca alone attracting more than 2 million visitors from the UK, as reported by the Express.
The summer limitations in Palma are expected to conclude by 2029. However, the agreement involving the Balearic Government, Palma City Council, and 20 cruise lines will remain in effect until 2031. The objective of this arrangement is to manage cruise activities and safeguard the city’s interests, especially within the historic center, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Under the new regulations, only three cruise ships will be allowed to dock at the Port of Palma each day, with a limit of one ship carrying more than 5,000 passengers. These measures are a response to concerns about overtourism in the region, which could lead to renewed protests from residents during the upcoming summer.
In previous years, thousands of Spanish locals have protested against the uncontrolled overcrowding on the islands, citing the failure of the Balearic Government’s sustainability pact. A statement released ahead of a recent demonstration emphasized the need for grassroots action to address the escalating issue of overtourism in Mallorca.
Tourist arrivals to the Balearic Islands have continued to rise, reaching 18.7 million in 2024 and exceeding 19 million the following year. With a local population of around 1.2 million, including approximately 18,000 British expatriates, the strain of overtourism is evident.
To combat overtourism, the opposition party PSOE proposed a cap on visitor numbers at 17.8 million annually in the Balearic parliament. However, the proposal was rejected earlier this year.
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