This week in Mallorca, figures show that tourism proves to supply much of the island’s lifeblood, as Palma strengthens its position as a top winter getaway for German travelers. On the economic front, inflation edges higher, while public transport sees a significant boost with major investments. Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, with access to Palma Airport receiving much-needed improvements.

Here’s what’s been making headlines:

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Palma Solidifies Its Spot as Germans’ Winter Favorite

Demand for flights to Palma during the winter holiday season has soared, with bookings up 16% among German travelers compared to last year, according to flight search engine Jetcost. Accommodation searches are also up by 19%, confirming Palma’s growing appeal. The city now ranks as the top winter destination for Germans and is gaining ground with French, Portuguese, British, Italian, and Dutch travelers. It now ranks eighth among the destinations preferred by French and Portuguese travelers, tenth with the British, and twelfth among both Italians and Dutch.

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Cap Rocat Hotel Among the World’s Best

The prestigious Cap Rocat Hotel in Cala Blava has earned a coveted spot on Traveler magazine’s Gold List, which honors the 70 best hotels worldwide. Housed in a restored fortress overlooking the Bay of Palma, this architectural gem—revamped by architect Antonio Obrador—offers unparalleled luxury while preserving its status as a National Monument within a protected natural area. Other Spanish hotels on the list include Madrid’s Gran Hotel Inglés and Marbella Club in Marbella, highlighting Spain’s reputation for world-class hospitality.

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Inflation Hits 2.8% in the Balearic Islands for 2024

Economic pressures are mounting as the Balearic Islands register a 2.8% inflation rate, driven by rising costs in housing, water, electricity, and gas. This marks the second consecutive month of increases, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). However, some relief can be found in falling prices for transportation, clothing, and footwear, offering a slight counterbalance to the rising living costs.

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Public Transport Investment Expands TIB Network — and free service is set to continue 

The regional government has said it is earmarking an extra 20 million euros annually until 2030 to create new transport routes and improve schedules. In total, the TIB bus service is to see an injection of an additional 150 million euros. One of the first such improvements will be seen this weekend with the launch of the A11 airport route that will link the Calvià district directly with the airport. Starting this month, 27 new buses will join the fleet, increasing the total to 257 vehicles. By 2030, the network’s capacity will have doubled to 24.6 million kilometers annually, supporting surging passenger figures, which have surpassed 27 million users this year—a 50% increase over initial projections. Meanwhile, at the eleventh hour, it was announced that the highly popular free public-transport scheme operating across the island — and due to end on December 31st — is to be maintained for at least the first six months of 2025.

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Access to Palma Airport Upgraded with New Non-Slip Asphalt

After four decades, access roads to Palma’s Sant Joan Airport are undergoing a long-overdue makeover. Work began this week to install non-slip asphalt, improving safety for vehicles. Nighttime traffic disruptions are expected, with staggered closures for both inbound and outbound routes. Notably, the exit to the motorway toward Santanyí will be closed on Thursday, December 19, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with traffic redirected to Palma during this time.

Text by Sebastian Cerutti